A Fair Trade

The Divrei Chaim of Sanz was once conducting a siyum to celebrate the completion of all of Shas when he was stuck on the meaning of a particular Tosfos. He traveled to the author of the Be'er Moshe, the Rebbe of Kozhnitz, to ask for help in understanding the difficult Tosfos.

Out of his great humility, Rav Moshe claimed that he did not understand it. He said, “You have already concluded all of Shas, whereas I have just finished saying all of Sefer Tehillim.”

The Sanzer Rav was undeterred. “Perhaps you would agree to an exchange?” he asked. “Let us trade, you and I. I will trade you my learning and my siyum on all of Shas for your siyum on Sefer Tehillim.”

“No,” said the Be'er Moshe, shaking his head. “I will not agree to a trade.” In the end he agreed to help the Divrei Chaim, and they began to learn the Tosfos together. When they were halfway through, thanks to the Kozhnitzer, the Sanzer Rav understood.