Reb Peretz Chein was a chossid of the Mitteler Rebbe, and was among those who influenced the Tzemach Tzedek to accept the nesius, and he was also instrumental in the appointment of the Rebbe Maharash as Rebbe. He merited seeing six Rabbeim, from the Alter Rebbe, who he saw while still a baby, through the Frierdiker Rebbe, when the Rebbe was in his boyhood years.
Reb Peretz was a rov in Nevel, then in Beshenkovitz and later in Tchernigov. He passed away 26th of Iyar תרמ"ג (1883).
The Mitteler Rebbe once told Reb Peretz to perform “Tikun Chatzos.” Later on, when he came for Yechidus, he told the Rebbe that he had stopped, and explained: “To say Tikun Chatzos with a truthful heart, I am incapable of, and to lie to myself and say it anyway, this I do not want to do...” The Rebbe accepted his argument.
During the weeks before his passing, Reb Peretz continued with his avoda as usual. Three days before he passed away he called his son Radatz and told him:
“Many years ago my mother appeared to me and told me three things: (1) ‘I have been sent from shamayim to tell you that your chazarah of what you have already learned is more precious than the learning for the first time.’ (2) ‘Machshavos zaros during davening is like piggul’ (a karban which was brought with the incorrect intentions and therefore invalid). (3) She also revealed to me all major occurrences that would take place until the end of my life. Now, since the last of those occurrences has happened today, I know that my end is near.”
Hearing this, Radatz left the room white and trembling.
On Shabbos, Reb Peretz davened for exceptionally long amount of time, and sent a message that the seudah should start without him. Everyone understood that something is about to happen, and they ate their seudah quickly.
Having finished their seudah, many people gathered to hear the davening of Reb Peretz. The recitation of Shema and Boruch Sheim alone extended for an hour and a half. After finishing davening he inconspicuously sent Reb Shalom Reb Hillel’s (the talmid of Reb Hillel Paritcher) to visit a nearby shul (since he was a kohen). As he finished Shmoneh Esreh of mincha his neshama departed.
(שמו"ס ח"א ע' 276)
