The members of the delegation looked at him with pleading eyes. “And what about us?” they said. “Do not our forefathers, the ministers of our people, stand by us?!”
Upon hearing this argument, spoken from a sincere and concerned heart, the Baal Shem Tov’s face lit up.
Once again, he fell into thought, until at last he awoke from his reverie and said, “Indeed, the minister of Esau assists this evildoer, but we too have righteous advocates. Let us wait and see how the matter will unfold.”
About a week later, the great annual fair of Mezhibuzh took place, drawing Jews and gentiles from the entire region. All awaited this fair. The abundance of sights and sounds, the rich variety of goods, and the street performers amusing the crowd for the coins tossed into their hats — all merged into one festive atmosphere.
On the morning of the fair, after the Shacharit prayer, the Baal Shem Tov turned toward the market. “Let us go greet the Jewish villagers, ask after their well-being, and uplift their spirits,” he said to a group of his students who accompanied him to the fair.
