Throughout his sermon the Maggid berated his simple audience, accusing them of dreadful sins. He proceeded to describe in vivid detail the severe punishment that awaited them as a result of their evil ways. When finished, the proud orator quickly retired to his room, leaving his crestfallen audience to wail over of the Divine retribution about to befall them.
No sooner had he made himself comfortable, when a man with a long knife and sharpening stone entered his room. To the Maggid’s utter surprise, the armed visitor was none other than R’ Shmuel himself.
Bolting the door behind him, R’ Shmuel proceeded to sharpen his knife. After a few tense and wordless moments, the Maggid broke the silence. “What’s this all about,” he asked with a look of astonishment.
Shake Off The Golus Mentality – Never Underestimate G-d Nor His People
A renowned Maggid (traveling preacher) arrived one day at the hometown of Reb Shmuel Munkes, a noted disciple of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. After reading his letter of approbation, lauding him as a Tzaddik wont to wander from town to town for the sole purpose of inspiring fellow Jews, the townspeople invited him to preach.
Throughout his sermon the Maggid berated his simple audience, accusing them of dreadful sins. He proceeded to describe in vivid detail the severe punishment that awaited them as a result of their evil ways. When finished, the proud orator quickly retired to his room, leaving his crestfallen audience to wail over of the Divine retribution about to befall them.
No sooner had he made himself comfortable, when a man with a long knife and sharpening stone entered his room. To the Maggid’s utter surprise, the armed visitor was none other than R’ Shmuel himself.
Bolting the door behind him, R’ Shmuel proceeded to sharpen his knife. After a few tense and wordless moments, the Maggid broke the silence. “What’s this all about,” he asked with a look of astonishment.