Sefer Maaseh Hatzadikim quotes Sefer Bracha Shlomo (page 11), which relates that Rav Shlomo Leib of Tutchin zy”a was known to have no fear of any man or any force besides Hashem. In the year 5675 (1915), during World War 1, the region of Galicia was captured by the Russian army, who were tremendously antisemitic and persecuted the Jews. Still and all, Rav Shlomo Leib felt no fear.
One day, a Cossack soldier came to his house and handed him a written order for every member of his family to perform government service of fixing and cleaning the roads. Rav Shlomo Leib was unafraid and said that he would not permit his family to do this work. This greatly angered the Cossack. He unsheathed his sword and ran towards him. As he approached, Rav Shlomo Leib proclaimed, “Rasha, I only serve the living G-d!” The Cossack suddenly became confused and he ran away as fast as he could. A short time later, the Russian army was ordered to leave the city.
Someone asked the Rebbe, “Why did you place yourself in danger by disobeying the Cossack? And why did you go so far as to insult and enrage him? Don’t you know that they are murderers?”
He answered, “The Torah states: ‘Vayirah Yaakov m’od vayitzar lo.’ (And Yaakov was very afraid and he was distressed.) The Seforim Hakedoshim explain that he first was afraid of Esav, and he then was distressed because he was scared of a human being. He was upset with himself for fearing any entity besides Hashem because someone who fears Hashem should not fear anyone else!”
