The Kovno Rav, Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector, was the Poseik HaDor, the leading Halachic authority of the generation, in the early 1900’s. He was once speaking with someone, when there was a knock his door. A student came in to tell Rav Yitzchok Elchonon of great news, that an older Bachur had finally got engaged. The Rav was thrilled to hear the great news and thanked the boy who told him. A few minutes later, there was another knock on the door and someone else told the Rav the same news. The Rav was once again thrilled and thanked him. A few moments later, the same occurrence repeated itself, and then yet once more, someone again came to tell the Rav the good news.
Finally, the man asked the Rav, “Rebbe, please explain to me. The same news was told to you four times over, yet each time you heard it, you reacted as if it was the first time!?” Rav Yitzchok Elchonon answered, “They come to tell me the news for they know I will be happy to hear it. This makes them happy, so it’s worth their efforts. If I don’t act surprised to hear the news, their efforts would have been for nothing, and I would have deprived them of their joy. Therefore, I allow them to have the pleasure of informing me of the exciting news!”
Reprinted from the Parashat Ki Tetzeh 5784 email of Jack E. Rahmey based on the Torah teachings of Rabbi Amram Sananes.
