THE GENERAL OF GEHINNOM
The Dzhikover’s custom was not to draw out the third Shabbos meal too long into the night. One of the chassidim was in Krenitz and was an eyewitness to this custom:
He told how as soon as three stars appeared, they would bring candles to the Rebbe’s table (because the tisch was conducted in the dark) and the Rebbe related, “rebbe, Reb Elimelech used to conduct his sholosh seudos long, long into the night. Once, a general came to the rebbe’s tisch and tried to press rebbe, Reb Meilech to end the seuda and daven Maariv, but the rebbe paid him no heed. Because this ‘general,’ in fact, was the minister of gehinnom! But rebbe, Reb Elimelech did not fear him. I, however, do fear him, so I said, ‘Bring mayim acharonim and let’s bensch!’” (Mareh Aish #117)
