This also sheds light on what we find concerning our Rebbeim, our leaders, beginning with the Baal Shem Tov: Their first act to benefit others was to perform a material favor for another Jew.
— As my father-in-law, the {Previous} Rebbe, recounted in many talks and notes, the Baal Shem Tov and his colleagues (the hidden tzaddikim) would travel among Jews and seek ways to help them with their material needs. Only afterward did they try to help with their spiritual needs. —
When a tzaddik performs material favors, it is not so recognizable that the favors are attributable to the tzaddik (and to the superior level of his avodah). Seemingly, the same favor could have been performed by someone who is not at the rank of the tzaddik. Yet, specifically, this {material-focused} avodah spearheaded their involvement with the Jewish people because this sort of avodah was expressive of the essence of the Jewish people.
— From a talk delivered on Shabbos parshas Vaera, 5732 (1972)
