Tzaddiq

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person regarded as righteous or virtuous, often emphasized in Jewish tradition as someone who embodies moral excellence and spiritual depth
2. A figure characterized by their adherence to ethical conduct and devotion to religious principles, often serving as a role model within a community
3. An individual celebrated for their exemplary behavior and commitment to doing good, frequently sought for guidance and wisdom in spiritual matters

Etymology: "Tzaddiq" is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "righteous person," written צַדִּיק (tsadík). The Hebrew root is ts-d-q, associated with righteousness and justice, and the same root gives Hebrew its general vocabulary for being in the right. In Jewish tradition the term came to name a person of exceptional moral and spiritual virtue, the kind of figure whose piety was thought to earn divine favour for a community. The spelling "tzaddiq" is one of several in use. Because English readers encounter the word through Yiddish as well as Hebrew, its pronunciation has often been shaped by Yiddish, where the same word is written צדיק and pronounced "tsadek." That is why you will see "tzaddik" alongside "tzaddiq" and why speakers say the first consonant and vowel differently from one community to another.

Synonyms: righteous person, saint, just man, tzaddik

Antonyms: sinner, wicked person