The tzaddik, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, was known for his strong belief in the coming of Moshiach and his powerful longing for the Geula. One time, his household was waiting for an important guest, a tzaddik, to arrive; a relative whom they hadn’t seen in a long time. When the wagon was seen in the distance, one of the children exclaimed, “he’s coming! He’s coming!”
R’ Yisrael, who was deep in thought at the time, suddenly looked alert. He ran to the closet, took out his Shabbat clothes, put them on quickly and then hurried to the door of the house. When the tzaddik saw the guest, he looked very disappointed. When he had heard, “he’s coming!” he was sure this meant Moshiach, which is why he rushed to welcome him. (reprinted from Beis Moshiach)
