Shock

The Baal Shem Tov went from stall to stall, meeting Jews, blessing them, encouraging them, urging them to increase their Torah study, to strengthen their observance of mitzvot, and to be more careful in their love for one another.

Suddenly, a murmur arose in the air, growing louder each moment. Within a moment, the reason became clear — the cruel policeman, the one to be appointed governor of the district, had arrived.