In those days, these disciples were selflessly devoted to the study of Divine
wisdom. They spent many hours of the day, many days-often the nights-of the
week, and many weeks and months during the year, in seclusion.
They did not consider this seclusion as anything in the nature of
self-torture or sorrowful castigation. On the contrary, it was a source of
special pleasure to them, from which they derived great spiritual joy and
delight. For in it and through it they were not merely escaping the earthly
material swamp, but were ascending the path leading to perfect purity, in order
to perceive the light of G-d with a clear
intellect and conception.
Among these disciples were several of a unique type, who were divorced from
earthly and corporeal matters. For all their being, spirit and soul, was devoted
to striving to ascend the Mount of G-d, and to
reaching the highest peak.
These unique and outstanding men, though few in number, exercised
considerable influence on the disciples of lower stature, to the extent of it
becoming proverbial-even among the mediocre students-that the object of man is
the domination of spirit over matter, i.e. the mastery of idealism over
materialism.
This adage, the domination of spirit over matter, does not
present a defined task, but varies according to one's standing and station.
Nevertheless, it clearly indicates that every person must strive to attain a
higher standard, and should yearn and strive to rise, step by step, in thought,
word and deed, in the acquisition of the highest virtues, and the attainment of
spiritual perfection.
This motto won thousands upon thousands of men and women of all ranks of the
Jewish people, into the camp of the Chasidim.
