The Gemorah in Brachos discusses the very high level of Emes (truth) practiced by Rav Safra. This level of Emes is called, “Dover Emes Bilvavo” – speaking truth in one’s heart. This means honoring an intention or commitment that one makes to oneself, as if it was actually verbalized and promised to another. The Gemorah relates that Rav Safra was once sitting in his store when a customer walked in and offered him a price for some merchandise. Rav Safra did not respond because he was in the middle of reciting Kriyas Shema at that moment. Although nothing was verbalized, Rav Safra had resolved to sell the item to the customer at the price that was offered. However, the customer, thinking that Rav Safra was rejecting the offer, offered a higher price. When Rav Safra still did not respond, the customer raised his price again. This happened several times until Rav Safra finished saying Kriyas Shema and was able to talk. He turned to the customer and told him that he had resolved in his own mind to sell the merchandise at the first price he was offered, and he therefore, would need to honor that commitment and not charge him more than that.
Rav Leizer Yudel Finkel ZT”L, the son of the Alter of Slabodka, was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland. Shortly after he had re-established the Yeshiva in Jerusalem, he partnered with the Chazon Ish to help assist in the launching of a new Yeshiva in Tiberias for Sefardic children. He agreed to split the expenses of the new Yeshiva for the first few months with the Chazon Ish.
After the first few months, one of Rav Leizer Yudel’s students noticed that Rav Leizer Yudel continued to financially support the Yeshiva in Tiberias. The student asked his Rebbe, “Rebbe, how can you afford this? Don’t you have your own Yeshiva to support!” Rav Leizer Yudel responded, “How can I not continue to do so? I promised!” The student responded, “But I was with you when you made the commitment to support the Yeshiva for the first few months. You never committed to anyone that you would provide support for more than that.” Rav Leizer Yudel responded, “You are correct. I did not promise anyone else that I would continue my support of the Yeshiva, but I made a commitment to myself that I would, and I intend to keep that commitment.”
