Tzadik

Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq [tsaˈdik] (Hebrew: צדיק‎‎, "righteous one", pl. tzadikim [tsadiˈkim] צדיקים ṣadiqim) is a title in Judaism given to people considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q ( tzedek), which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of tzedakah ('charity', literally 'righteousness'). The feminine term for a righteous person is tzadeikes/tzaddeket.

The term tzadik "righteous", and its associated meanings, developed in Rabbinic thought from its Talmudic contrast with hasid ("pious" honorific), to its exploration in Ethical literature, and its esoteric spiritualisation in Kabbalah.

Since late 17th Century, in Hasidic Judaism, the institution of the mystical tzadik as a Divine channel assumed central importance, combining popularization of (hands-on) mysticism with social movement for the first time. Adapting former Kabbalistic theosophical terminology, Hasidic thought internalised mystical experience, emphasising deveikut attachment to its Rebbe leadership, who embody and channel the Divine flow of blessing to the world.

Arabic ṣādiq (صادق) and Ethiopic Tsaddəq (ጻድቅ), are cognates with similar meaning. The title of Voltaire's satirical novel Zadig also stems from this root. Ṣedeq "Righteousness" in Canaanite religion may have been an epithet of a god of the Jebusites. The Hebrew word appears in the biblical names Melchizedek, Adonizedek, and Zadok, the high priest of David.

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