In Hasidism, a Jewish mystical movement of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the zaddik was the spiritual leader who served as rabbi to his community. Often he answered questions by telling stories or sharing his own experiences.

The zaddik was a helper who would extend his hand to followers, and if the followers would take it, he would guide them until they were able to find their way alone. Yet, he did not relieve them of the responsibility of doing for themselves whatever they had grown strong enough to do. And, at no time did he free people from the burden of what they must do for themselves. As one rabbi explained, “What you don’t get by your own work, you don’t have.”

No one else can find your higher power or you.