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.
