Israel Baal Shem Tov

The beloved Israel Baal Shem Tov (5458-5520 / 1698-1760), the founder of the chassid movement, said many wise things about the inner relation to G-d, some to be found in the works Shivki ha Bascht, Keter Shem Tov and Tzevaat ha Ribasch. About the relation beween G-d and man he said:

G-d is the shadow of man, just like the shadow follows the movement of the body, so does G-d following the movement of the human soul. If a person is mercyful, so is G-d. The mystery of man is called G-d. And G-d's secret owns a name created by man: Love. The one that shows love, G-d shows love.

You can not love G-d without loving what G-d has created around us. Only through mankind and the creation we can show our love to G-d. And through mankind, G-d speaks to us in a very direct way.

Your neighbour is your mirror. If your face is clean, you will see purity in your neighbour. But if you look at your neighbour and see imperfection, then it's your own imperfection you are facing. G-d is showing what you have to correct in your own being.

Each and everything you see and hear, is an instruction to you concerning what you have to do in your service to G-d.

A person came to Baal Shem Tov and asked what the chassidic movement was. He replied:
"Have you heard about the blacksmith that wanted to start his own bussiness? He bought an anvil, a hammer and a pair of bellows and started to work. But it was in vain. The smithy wouldn't come to life. He asked around among older collegues and got the answer. 'You have everything you need, except the fire.'
This is what the chassidic movement is; it's the fire."