The Rebbe Maharash (Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, 1860-1920) would travel for fresh air in the countryside around Lubavitch and often stop in one of the forests, sit on the ground, and recite Tehillim with tears on behalf of Klal Yisroel. On his way, he would pass a certain Yiddish-owned inn, but he never entered.
One time, however, he ordered his wagon driver to stop, and upon entering the house, found two young boys alone at home. The Rebbe asked them to bring a Tehillim and together they sang the pesukim, repeating each word after him.
When the mother returned home, she was surprised to find the Rebbe in her home. The sweet tune to which he and her boys were reciting Tehillim brought her to tears. After half an hour, the Rebbe got up to go, but as he approached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around and took the Tehillim to read some more. Sometime later, he bentched them all and left.
Hours passed, night fell, but the father did not return home. The mother tried to assure her children that he would soon return, but in truth, she was quite fearful herself. Finally, in middle of the night, there was a knock on the door. Hearing her husband's voice, the mother quickly opened it, but as soon as her husband entered, he fell to the ground in a faint.
After he revived, he shared his day's experience:
"I had gone to collect an old debt from one of the goyishe farmers. He invited me into the barn to pay up with grain, but then locked the door, tied me up, and tried to kill me. I pleaded with him, saying that I would absolve him of the debt, but he refused to listen. Searching for his axe, he left the barn, and tied the door from the outside. Realizing that my end was near, I began to recite vidui.
At that moment the goy's wife passed the barn, heard my cries, and entered. I begged her to set me free. At first she wouldn’t hear of it, fearful that her husband would kill her. At last, she gave in, untied me, directed me to the best escape route, and quickly returned to the field.
When the goy returned, he was fuming, and chased after me. I had anticipated this, and so I was hiding in the tall grass along the road. The goy came so close that I could smell the stench of his whiskey, but Boruch HaShem, he missed me and eventually returned home. I waited a while to be sure he would not see me, and then I came home."
Hearing his story, the woman exclaimed, "Now I understand why the Rebbe stopped by today and said Tehillim twice with the boys – once, so that you be set free, and again, so that the goy should not find you. Blessed be HaShem Who always works miracles for us!"
