Zaddiks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to righteous individuals or saints in Judaism who are revered for their piety and moral uprightness; they are often seen as intercessors connecting the divine and humanity; the plural form signifies multiple such figures revered within this religious context
2. This expression denotes holy persons in Jewish tradition known for their spiritual integrity and ethical conduct; they serve as examples for others in their communities and are thought to possess special insights or wisdom; the plural indicates a collective of these revered figures
3. It characterizes a group of virtuous people recognized in Jewish lore for their righteous deeds and close relationship with God; they often hold a significant role in communal life, guiding others in spiritual matters; being in plural form underscores a community of such notable individuals

Etymology: "Zaddiks" is the plural of "zaddik," a Hebrew word meaning "righteous one," used for holy men in Jewish tradition. The singular comes from Hebrew "tzaddik" (צַדִּיק), from the root "tzedek," meaning righteousness or justice, so the plural follows the Hebrew pattern of adding "-im" to a masculine noun, with the Yiddish and English forms using the simpler "-s" ending instead. Within Hasidic Judaism, a zaddik was regarded as a spiritual leader whose prayers and guidance were thought to link ordinary followers to God, and the term was applied to such leaders in the plural as well. Because the word passed through Yiddish, its English plural is typically "zaddiks," though "zaddikim" appears in more scholarly writing that keeps the Hebrew plural.