Even Rova Agreed

Rav Yisrael of Rizhin once told what he had heard from Rav Yitzchok of Radvil. The two holy brothers, Rav Shmelke of Nikolsburg and Rav Pinchas of Frankfurt, were once guests together in the home of Rav Michele Zlotshuver, who was away at the time. He had left instructions that they be made to feel at home and honored as important guests.

They were given adjoining rooms with a door between them that was closed, but not all the way. A young man dressed in the modern German style, with a short coat, arrived and was shown to Rav Pinchas's room. He had learned with Rav Pinchas in Frankfurt, and they rejoiced at the reunion and began to learn together. In the next room Rav Shmelke sat wrapped in his tallis and crowned with his tefillin, as he did all day, speaking only words of Torah and never idle chatter, and mostly in Loshon Kodesh.

Rav Pinchas and his talmid were discussing aloud a topic for the young man's derashah, since he was a chosson and would be asked to speak at his chasunah, as was the custom in those days. Rav Pinchas began to recite a statement of the Gemara, "Amar Rova," Rova said, and raised no fewer than twenty-two questions on it. Then he answered all twenty-two with a single answer.

Because the door was slightly ajar, Rav Shmelke heard the entire exchange. He rose, entered the room and said, "My holy brother, that is the whole truth. Your explanation is exactly what Rova meant. I know, because Rova just visited me in my room and told me himself that you got it right." Rav Yitzchok of Radvil told the Rizhiner that he had witnessed this himself, in his father's home, between these two holy brothers.