The government had a case against a certain Jew. The courts ruled found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death by hanging. His last request was that they notify his sons of the verdict. The sons were notified and immediately set out to see their father. On the way, they stopped in Lizhensk to see Rebbe Elimelech and asked him for his advice. The Rebbe answered that they had nothing to fear their father would not be hanged. Comforted, they set on their way However, when they arrived, they saw that nothing had changed. On the designated day, their father was brought forth to be hanged, and no one said a word to save him.
Before the sentence was to be carried out, they read the charges and the verdict that had been pronounced. However, when the officials went to retrieve the necessary documents, they could not find any of the papers relating to the judgment and could not proceed with the execution. They hastened back to the courthouse but they fount not a trace of the ruling nor even memory of the case. The judges themselves were no longer able to recall the case, nor were they able to remember who the witnesses were or what testimony had been given. Everything was totally forgotten After a lengthy delay and numerous searches, they reluctantly released the prisoner since they could bring no charges against him. On the trip back home, the sons, this time with their father, stopped once more in Lizhensk to see the Rebbe Elimelech. The Rebbe told them. "I had no other alternative except to make use of the angel of forgetfulness to cause them to forget he whole matter completely."
