The Baal Shem Tov remained in his place, surrounded by the group of villagers. Since the Baal Shem Tov did not move, they too stayed put, though their hearts were uneasy.
Soon the policeman came into view, riding his horse. All stepped aside to make way for him. The policeman looked at them with arrogance, malice gleaming in his eyes. Then he noticed the Baal Shem Tov and the group of Jews. The sight disturbed him. In a burst of anger, he rode up to them and, with a sharp motion, lashed out with his whip at the heads of the group. The blow struck the Baal Shem Tov’s hat — by a miracle not striking his face.
A gasp of fear escaped the mouths of those surrounding the Baal Shem Tov. Yet his face shone with a great light. “This evening, when the fair is over, come to me and we will say L’chaim together in honor of the salvation that has already come,” the Baal Shem Tov told the astonished villagers.
Indeed, that evening, many Jews gathered in the Baal Shem Tov’s study hall, where they were served food and drink. All awaited the Baal Shem Tov’s words, expecting him to explain his cryptic statement from that morning. What “salvation” had he meant?
The Baal Shem Tov began: “When I saw the policeman bursting into the market, riding his horse in great pride, lashing out everywhere with malice and coarse arrogance, I said to myself, ‘Master of the Universe, even if it has been decreed that this wicked man be a ruler and leader — see how he already behaves like a king over a troop; why, then, should he be raised even higher?!’ At that very moment, my argument was accepted in Heaven. ‘This evildoer,’ they said, ‘has forfeited his greatness — through his pride.’ And the decree was immediately annulled.”
The Baal Shem Tov concluded: “This is what the wisest of men said in the book of Proverbs: ‘A man’s pride will humble him...’” (Proverbs, 29:23)
Within only a few days, word spread that suddenly, and for reasons unknown to anyone, the policeman had lost favor in the eyes of the authorities. His appointment as governor was canceled, and the Jews of the district could breathe a sigh of relief.
