Rav Nochum of Rachmastrivka zy”a related that the Me’or Einayim once had no money to make Pesach. He didn’t have a penny to buy the yomtov necessities.
Suddenly, a man named R’ Moshe, who the Rebbe did not know, came to his house with a wagon full of food for yomtov, and he gave it to the Rebbe. As a sign of gratitude for the chesed he did for him, the Rebbe told R’ Moshe that he could ask him for anything he desired.
R’ Moshe said that he had sufficient livelihood and nachas from his children. All he wanted was for the Rebbe to tell him when Moshiach was coming.
The Me’or Einayim said, “Since I told you that you could ask whatever you want, I have no choice but to answer you. He will not come in my lifetime, nor in my children’s lifetimes. He also will not come in grandchildren’s lifetimes. Perhaps he will come in my great-grandchildren’s lifetimes.”
Rav Nochum of Rachmastrivke concluded, “I am his great-grandson. Moshiach can come now! However, we will need a forehead of copper and eyes of glass and a heart of iron to endure the time that will be before the coming of Moshiach!”