Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spector was the Rav in the city of Kovna and because of this he was called the Kovna Rav. One time, Rav Yitzchak Elchonon was in a room, helping two men who were having an argument. At the same time, Rav was waiting to hear if his talmid Yaacov would have to go to the Russian army.
Suddenly, the Rav heard a knock on the door. “Come in, please,” he said. A talmid came in and said, “Rabbi, we just found out that Yaacov does not have to go in the army!” Rav was thrilled and replied, “Such good news! Thank you for telling me.”
A few minutes later another boy came in and said “Rabbi, Yaacov does not have to go to the army.” Rav Yitzchak Elchonon did not want to tell him that he already knew, because he wanted the boy to be happy, so he said, “Boruch Hashem! What good news! Thank you for telling me.” For the next 30 minutes it happened again and again. Each time Rav Yitzchak Elchonon interrupted himself to show how happy he was even though he already heard the news.
Special thanks to The Daily Vort for the story
