Martin Buber

order to understand the particular significance of the zaddik, as distinct for instance from that of the Russian staretz as he has been presented with the transforming fidelity of a great poet, by Dostoevski, it is necessary to remember the fundamental difference between the historical conceptions of Judaism and Christianity

For he whose every work is for God, he begets himself in the renewal of the light in his soul.”

This is what it means, ‘be not bad with yourself’; what is meant is that you spend your time sitting alone with yourself and do not go out among the people; be not bad through loneliness.”

factual existence of a human being can itself be a symbol or a sacrament.

But no symbol, in no timeless height, can in any other way become and become again reality than by becoming incarnate in such a living and dying human existence.

everything desires to become a sacrament.

impossible, says Hasidism, to have truly essential intercourse with God when there is no essential intercourse with men.

horse drinking from a brook? It kicks with its hoofs, does it not? Why? Well, it sees its reflection and takes it for another horse trying to drink away its water. But you ought to know that it is you all the time: you are standing in your own way.”

How can I fulfil the commandment of love, if I do not love myself and cannot even bear to look at myself? What can I do? I practise repentance until I can bear to look at myself again. Even so I must do to my neighbours.

us love each other more, and then there will be plenty of room for both of us.’” The feeling of being cramped in the human world is derived from inadequate love.