In order to understand the place of the Tzaddik in Jewish, and especially in Kabbalistic thought, it is necessary to consider certain things. (Philosophically inclined Jewish theologians would have great difficulty with most of this.) First of all, Man being in the image of G-d, is understood to mean that all of Man's faculties are a reflection of the Divine. In fact, even his body parallels the Divine order. However, if Man sins, he distances himself from his own Divine nature. One the other hand, if he fulfills his mission, every aspect of his being is connected back into its roots above. This is called "devekut"; "clinging to G-d". All of one's thoughts and actions are reflections of a Divine reality. The Kabbalah, borrowing a phrase from the Aramaic translation of Scripture, refers to he Tzaddik as "Holding on to Heaven and Earth" (simultaneously). The Tzaddik is a conduit. He knows what G-d is thinking and feeling at any given moment, and how to bring that into everyday reality. The Baal Shem Tov described the Tzaddik as a "pipeline", through which G-d is active in our world. (It must be remembered that in Judaism, unlike Hinduism and some other faiths, Man never actually becomes G-d). The Zohar states that Man is G-d's "partner". The Tzaddilk realizes this potential. He may be approached for advice, which is G-d's own advice! A blessing from a Tzaddik, is a direct blessing from G-d! Any item he has used or touched becomes a vessel for the Divine Light. In the story we began with, the Baal Shem Tov, seeing the danger that threatened the community, was able to connect himself with G-d (through prayer and meditation), and bring about salvation. Later leaders could, on their own, accomplish less and less, but they were connecting themselves to the Tzaddik, whose incredible powers do not end at his death. Even a story is of great significance. RAMBAM claimed that the term angels in Scripture really means the forces of nature. For a Kabbalist, a Tzaddik is a sort of angel. G-d has plans for the world, and every individual. The person who "holds on to Heaven and Earth", is a major factor in carrying out G-d's plans. One caveat here is how we may recognize a Tzaddik. In some circles, decedents of Tzaddikim are often seen as Tzaddikim themselves. Even if they are not Tzaddikim, like the later rabbis in our story, they still can channel his power. Others have difficulty with this idea. Rather, the Tzaddikim in every generation are hidden, and must be sought. There is a tradition, mentioned in the Talmud, that there are always thirty six such people in the world at any one time. They may be rabbis, or they may be laborers. We are not likely to find them advertising online. But finding one of them, is to find G-d operating in the world. More importantly, it is finding how to live.