 The pattern still characterizes Hasidic sects, though prolonged routinization in many turned the "rebbes" into de facto political leaders of strong, institutionalized communities.The role of a Saint was obtained by charisma, erudition and appeal in the early days of Hasidism.But by the dawn of the 19th century, the Righteous began to claim legitimacy by descent to the masters of the past, arguing that since they linked matter with infinity, their abilities had to be associated with their own corporeal body.