The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, was surrounded by a shining constellation of Torah scholars and Tzadikim. These men, many of whom were considered great enough to be Rebbes in their own right, were drawn to the Alter Rebbe to learn how to perfect their G-dly service and to develop their character traits to the highest levels.

One such person was Reb Shmuel Munkis, [1758-1848] a beloved Chasid, known for his humor and wit. Of course, he was no empty joker, but a very deep personality, who could abide no falsehood, whose own ego was completely nullified to perform the will of his Creator. Reb Shmuel was one of the few chosen by the Rebbe to be his personal emissary. Reb Shmuel's greatness was recognized by all. Even the gentiles considered him a holy man. When it was noticed that those fields where Reb Shmuel mediated yielded a bountiful harvest the gentile farmers tried to find ways to get Reb Shmuel to come to pray in their fields.

During the month of Elul, a maggid (traveling preacher) came to Reb Shmuel's town. The townspeople saw his letter of introduction which referred to him as a great Tzadik, who also gives up his own comforts to travel from town to town only to arouse and inspire Jews. Being G-d-fearing people, they immediately invited him to speak and inspire them to serve G-d better.

The maggid began his speech. Over and over again, he accused his audience of committing terrible sins. His entire speech was filled with accusations and descriptions of the terrible punishments awaiting them because their evil behavior had aroused G-d's anger. Only if they would wholeheartedly repent would they possibly have a chance to be spared. The townspeople were utterly broken by the maggid's harsh words, and they cried bitterly, fearing the awesome punishment.

After his speech, the maggid, satisfied with himself, retired to the room that the community had arranged for him.

A short while later, Reb Shmuel entered the maggid's room. He carried with him a long knife and a stone with which to sharpen it. Reb Shmuel closed the door behind him and then bolted it. Without saying a word, Reb Shmuel began to sharpen his knife.

A few tense moments passed. Finally the maggid broke the silence and asked in astonishment, "Sir, could you please tell me what are you doing?"

Without glancing up from the knife he was sharpening, Reb Shmuel answered, "As the honorable, great maggid knows, we are very simple people in this town. Perhaps, it is because of our unintentional sins that we have never merited to have a great, righteous, G-d-fearing scholar in our midst."

Not knowing what to make of this answer, the maggid replied, "Yes, that is true. Nevertheless, what does that have to do with sharpening the knife?"

Reb Shmuel answered simply, "We were taught by our parents that before Rosh Hashana, one is supposed to pray at the graves of the righteous."

Still unsure of what Reb Shmuel's point was, the maggid asked, "What is correct. But why are you sharpening that knife?"

"Oh, that is very simple," explained Reb Shmuel. "The nearest grave site of a righteous person is very far from our town. For some of us it is extremely troublesome and difficult to make such a long journey."

With these additional words, the maggid began to feel uneasy. He started sweating and ventured, "But you still have not explained why you are sharpening your knife in this room!"

Reb Shmuel answered, "Quite simply, I am sharpening my knife here because the townspeople want a very righteous person buried in this town."

Now the maggid had not even a shadow of a doubt as to what Reb Shmuel's intentions seemed to be. The maggid stammered, "But I am not completely righteous. I have also done some small sins, such as ..."

Reb Shmuel dismissed the maggid's revelation, saying, "Honored maggid, you are still a very righteous and learned person. As for the sins that you mentioned, I did not even know that they were transgressions."

The maggid trembled and stuttered, "But I did some transgressions that were much more serious, such as ..."

Concerning this revelation, as well, Reb Shmuel shrugged, arguing, "But to us you are still a Tzadik; for us, you are quite good enough."

This strange dialogue continued for some time with the maggid, mentioning more and more severe transgressions and Reb Shmuel telling him, "But you are still acceptable to us, since you are far better than we are."

Finally, the maggid admitted to some extremely serious transgressions and that he was not really the great Tzadik that his letter of introduction and credentials claimed him to be. In essence, he was saying, "I am an impostor."

Now, Reb Shmuel no longer played the simpleton. After putting away the knife, he began chastising the maggid for causing the Jews of the town so much pain and sorrow. After making sure the maggid fully understood how one is to talk to and treat another Jew, Reb Shmuel unbolted the door and let the maggid go on his way, much the wiser and more sensitive than before.

Reprinted from Early Chasidic Personalities: Reb Shmuel Munkis, by Rabbi S. D. Avtzon - available from Sichos in English - sie100@aol.com