 It was argued that since followers could not "negate themselves" sufficiently to transcend matter, they should instead "negate themselves" in submission to the Saint ("hitbatlut la-Tzaddiq"), thus bonding with him and enabling themselves to access what he achieved in terms of spirituality.The Righteous served as a mystical bridge, drawing down effluence and elevating the prayers and petitions of his admirers.The Saintly forged a well-defined relationship with the masses