The Ruzhiner Rebbe zy’a related that Rav Zev Wolf of Chorni-Ostroha zy’a would usually sleep with his eyes open. One of his students once was surprised to see him sleeping with his eyes open. When he woke up, he explained the reason his eyes were closed by saying that he was shown a vision of the final generations before Moshiach.
He told his student, ‘‘In that time, even people as choshuv as you will be influenced by heresy!’’
The student was shocked and began to cry. The Rebbe told him, ‘‘I have one piece of advice for you – to tell stories about tzadikim. You can even say stories about me!’’
When he said this, the Ruzhiner Rebbe repeated the words, ‘‘Even about me! Even about me!’’
Similarly, Sefer Yalkut Ohev Yisroel relates that the Apta Rov zy’a said that before Moshiach comes, a lot of blasphemy will come to the world. He pointed to one of the people in front of him and said, ‘‘Even people like you will be influenced by apikorsus.’’
He then said, ‘‘The only piece of advice I can give to be saved from this is to gather together and relate stories of tzadikim.’’
May we all merit to at least slightly improve our emunah!