In those days, there lived in a village near Mezhibuzh a policeman — a wicked man and an enemy of the Jewish people. His malice was notorious. Every time he patrolled the streets of the village, some Jew would suffer at his hands. Sometimes he would impose a fine, sometimes he would strike with the whip he always enjoyed brandishing, and sometimes he was content with mere threats and intimidation.
For a long time, the Jewish villagers groaned under his oppression. One day, a rumor spread that this policeman, supported by the authorities and his high-placed friends, was about to be promoted to governor of the district. This news struck fear into all the Jews in the surrounding villages — and even the Jews of Mezhibuzh.
After a communal discussion, it was decided to send a delegation to the Baal Shem Tov to request his prayers to avert this harsh decree. The Baal Shem Tov received the delegation warmly and with great affection. He listened to their words and then sank into deep thought. “I see that it will be difficult — very difficult — to stop this wicked policeman, for the heavenly minister of Esau stands at his side,” the Baal Shem Tov murmured, half to himself and half to those before him.
