Genuine Ruach HaKodesh

Rav Farber recalled that whenever the Chofetz Chaim spoke of yeshivah students, he would ask, “When will we get true gedolim? Rabbonim we have plenty, but who will bring us genuine gedolim?” He wanted and demanded that bnei Torah become true gedolei Torah, and even from the older students he asked for more and more.

Rav Aharon Kotler once told Rav Elchonon Wasserman about a conversation he had had with the Chofetz Chaim. Out of nowhere the Chofetz Chaim remarked that anyone who starts a maseches should always complete it and never abandon it halfway. Afterward Rav Aharon reflected and saw that this described him exactly. Time and again he had started a maseches, learned a bit and put it down. How could the Chofetz Chaim have known?

Rav Elchonon replied that the very same thing had happened to him. While they were talking about something else, the Chofetz Chaim had broken in to say that a maseches, once begun, must be finished. The two agreed that this was true ruach hakodesh.