He was also the Author of the book "SipooRay Hassidim" which has a story based on this week's Portion (I repeat it in short).

 

One time the holy BAl Shem Tov went for Shabbat to a little village -

but he wouldn't let the townfolk EAT their shabbat meal!

Until they all said Psalms until midnight - and then he let them go-

ON THE CONDITION THEY COME BACK IN AN HOUR AND PRAY ALL NIGHT!

 

More or less the next morning the local gentile town drunk came by and asked for a drink - 

after which he blabbed -

The local LORD didn't let us eat or drink all night

He was just giving all the villagers guns and swords,

saying in the morning we would attack the Jews!

 

I myself, said the drunk, argued you are all nice people -

and always give me a drink when I ask!

But the lord there didn't listen until an old friend of his rode by

just before dawn -  and told him the same thing -

 

So he told us Told us to Go Home.

 

The Bal Shem Tove told his students, that

 the friend who rode by had passed on 4 years BEFORE -

BUT THE LOCAL LORD didn't know - and so I had everyone pray hard - and

 

the Almighty sent the old friend back as a messenger.