Final answer:
Josef may believe Shiendick came to destroy their cabin due to historical patterns of violence and animosity towards Jewish people, amplified during times of disaster, leading to a fear of targeted attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Josef, a character in a story that deals with refugees, may believe that Shiendick came to destroy their cabin because of the historical context of animosity and violence directed towards Jewish people during times of upheaval. In the provided reference, it's noted that during disasters, people would blame the 'sins of Jacob' and attempt to destroy the 'unfortunate Jews.' This atmosphere of blame and resentment could lead to targeted attacks such as the one Josef fears, where their cabin, representing safety and family, could be destroyed out of misguided blame or malice.
Moreover, the passages reflect a sense of paranoia and the need for secrecy and protection, with people creating their own shelters and secret passageways, potentially to protect themselves from threats like Shiendick whom they might perceive as a destroyer of their sanctuary.