The General of Gehinnom

It was the Dzikover's custom not to stretch out the third Shabbos meal far into the night. A chassid who had been in Krenitz saw this custom with his own eyes and described it. As soon as three stars appeared, candles were brought to the Rebbe's table, since the tisch was held in the dark.

The Rebbe would explain, "The Rebbe, Reb Elimelech, used to prolong his sholosh seudos deep into the night. Once a general came to his tisch and pressed Reb Meilech to finish the meal and daven Maariv, but Reb Meilech paid him no attention. That general was really the minister of Gehinnom, and Reb Elimelech did not fear him. I do fear him, so I said, 'Bring mayim acharonim and let us bensch.'"