There have always been...
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There have always been spiritual leaders around who were willing to offer help. Paul stands in the tradition of the Jewish rabbi or teacher. The main difference, however, is that Paul had accepted Jesus as the Messiah.
Years later, in the eighteenth century, as a result of Kabbalistic excesses upon esotericism, there would arise another Jewish lineage of teachers known as Zaddiks. The first Zaddik was Rabbi Israel ben Ehiezer, also known as Baal Shem Toy, the master of the good name of God.
Baal Shem Toy wanted to help others but not by giving them secret religious teaching which made them feel morally or spiritually better than others. He felt he was only able to help those who trusted him. Once he was attacked because he had given an amulet to each of his followers. Some said that Toy taught secret names of God.
However, when one of the amulets was opened, it contained only his name. It was a pledge between student and teacher. Paul has made a pledge with the Thessalonians. He asks them to honor their agreement of having accepted his spiritual authority.
