Tzadik - צדיק (plural: Tzadikkim) is the Hebrew word for "righteous one", and is a title which is generally given to those whom are considered to be righteous such as a spiritual master or Rebbe. The root of the word Tzadik, is Tzedek (צדק), which means justice or righteousness. Hebrew (עִבְרִית ‘Ivrit) is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than seven million people in Israel and Jewish communities around the world. ... Righteousness is an important concept in the theology of Judaism and Christianity. ... Lady Justice - allegory of Justice as woman with sword and with book - statue at court building. ...

Characteristics of a Tzadik

In classic Jewish thought, there are various definitions of a Tzadik. According to Maimonides (based on Tractate Yevamot of the Babylonian Talmud, 49b-50a): "One whose merit surpasses his iniquity is a tzadik." (Mishneh Torah, Sefer Madda, Laws of Repentance, 3:1) According to the Tanya (based on passages in Tanach and the Talmud), the true title of Tzadik can only be applied to someone who not only avoids sin but also has no inclination towards it. Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people with around 15 million followers as of 2006 [1]. It is one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths and one of the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. ... Commonly used image indicating one artists conception of Maimonidess appearance Moshe ben Maimon (March 30, 1135–December 13, 1204) was a Jewish rabbi, physician, and philosopher. ... The Mishneh Torah or Yad ha-Chazaka is a code of Jewish law by one of the most important Jewish authorities, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as Maimonides or by the Hebrew abbreviation RaMBaM (usually written Rambam in English). ... Repentance in Judaism known as Teshuva (literally means Returning in Hebrew), is the way of atoning for sin in Judaism. ... Likkutei Amarim (Hebrew, collection of statements), more commonly known as the Tanya, is an early work of Hasidic Judaism, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic dynasty, in 1797 CE. The name Tanya derives from the books first word, which is Aramaic... 11th century Targum Tanakh [תנ״ך] (also spelt Tanach or Tenach) is an acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible, based upon the initial Hebrew letters of each part: Torah [תורה] (The Law; also: Teaching or Instruction), Chumash [חומש] (The five, also Pentateuch or The five books of... The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. ...

The Tzadikim Nistarim or Lamedvavnik

The Talmud says that at least 36 anonymous tzaddikim are living among us at all times; they are anonymous, and it is for their sake that the world is not destroyed. The Talmud and the Kabbalah offer various ideas about the nature and role of these 36 tzaddikim. (see also Tzadikim Nistarim). The Tzadikim Nistarim or Lamed Vav Tzadikim referrs to 36 Righteous (or Saintly) people, a notion rooted within the more mystical dimensions of Judaism. ... Lamed Vav Tzadikim means the 36 Righteous (or Saintly) people, a notion rooted within the more mystical dimensions of Judaism. ... This article is about the overall Jewish mysticisms tradition. ... The Tzadikim Nistarim or Lamed Vav Tzadikim referrs to 36 Righteous (or Saintly) people, a notion rooted within the more mystical dimensions of Judaism. ...

Miracle workers

While the tzadik status, according to its above definitions, is not necessarily related to the ability to perform or call upon miracles, the term tzadik is often used loosely by the Talmud to indicate those who have achieved especially outstanding piety and holiness. In this context, the tzadik's prayers are considered especially potent, as the Talmud states: "A tzadik decrees and the Holy One (blessed be He) fulfills." This is line with the talmudic dictum (Tractate Avot, 2:4): According to many religions, a miracle, derived from the old Latin word miraculum meaning something wonderful, is a striking interposition of divine intervention by God in the universe by which the operations of the ordinary course of Nature are overruled, suspended, or modified. ... Michelangelos depiction of God in the painting Creation of the Sun and Moon in the Sistine Chapel Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the manifestations of the ultimate reality or God in Hinduism This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Judah haNasi used to say: "Make His Will your own will, that He make your will as His Will."

In some contexts, people refer specifically to the pious miracle-worker as a tzadik. According to the Baal Shem Tov, it is said, this ability is attainable for every Jew. It is told that he stated that every Jew has the power to cross a river atop a handkerchief, through connecting with their soul (which is divine in origin). Gamaliel III (3rd century CE) was the son of Rabbi Judah haNasi (Judah I), who appointed him his successor as nasi. ... Judah haNasi, or more accurately in Hebrew, Yehudah HaNasi, was a key leader of the Jewish community of Judea under the Roman empire, toward the end of the 2nd century CE. He was reputedly from the Davidic line of the royal line from King David, hence his title Prince (Nasi... Michelangelos depiction of God in the painting Creation of the Sun and Moon in the Sistine Chapel Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the manifestations of the ultimate reality or God in Hinduism This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This article incorporates text from the public domain 1901-1906 Jewish Encyclopedia Israel ben Eliezer Rabbi Israel (Yisroel) ben Eliezer (about 1700 Okopy Świętej Tr jcy - May 22, 1760 Międzyborz) was a Jewish Orthodox mystical rabbi who is better known to most religious Jews as the Baal Shem Tov, or... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is a self aware ethereal substance particular to a unique living being. ...

Becoming a Tzadik

Although there may be people who are born on the level of a Tzadik, every person has the power of reaching this level, even if they had done something wrong within their lifetime, if they have a true repentance their previous sins are forgiven, as stated in the Talmud that if a man performs kiddushin on the condition that he is a complete Tzadik, the kiddushin is valid, because he may have in that moment repented. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Judaism considers marriage to be the ideal state of existence; a man without a wife, or a woman without a husband, are considered incomplete. ...

The relationship between God and a Tzaddik

Based on the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Baal Shem Tov and the Ohr ha-Chaim, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi taught in the name of the Zohar that "He who breathed life into man, breathed from Himself." Therefore one's soul comes from the essence of God. Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534–July 25, 1572) was a Jewish scholar and mystic. ... This article incorporates text from the public domain 1901-1906 Jewish Encyclopedia Israel ben Eliezer Rabbi Israel (Yisroel) ben Eliezer (about 1700 Okopy Świętej Tr jcy - May 22, 1760 Międzyborz) was a Jewish Orthodox mystical rabbi who is better known to most religious Jews as the Baal Shem Tov, or... A commentary on the Torah written by Rabbi Haim Ben-Attar (1696-1743) revered by Hasidic and Sefardic Jews. ... Portrait of Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) founder of Chabad Lubavitch and author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch HaRav. ... The Zohar (Hebrew זהר Splendor, radiance) is widely considered the most important work of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. ...

According to kabbalah, a Tzadik, because he has completely nullified himself and his desires to what God wants, his soul (which like every Jewish soul is part of God) is revealed within him more than other people whom have not completely nullified themselves to God. However, Judaism does not believe in the Tzadik being like God. This article is about the overall Jewish mysticisms tradition. ... Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people with around 15 million followers as of 2006 [1]. It is one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths and one of the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. ...

This concept is based upon many Jewish sources, listed below are a sampling of the many sources.

• It is stated in the Zohar: "Et pnei Ha'adon Hashem - Do Rashbi" (Lit.: "the Countenance of the Lord Hashem - this is Rabbi shimon Bar Yochai.")

• In the Jerusalem Talmud (Eruvin, Chapter 5, Halacha 1), "All the standing that the prophet Elijah did before his teacher Achiya Hashiloni, were as if he was standing before the Shekhinah." And this is explained in Yesod HaAvoda in the name of the Radbaz "This was because Achiya had his mind and thoughts connected and cleaved to the greatness of the holy one, and Elijah when he stood before his teacher connected his thoughts with the thoughts of his teacher with the love from his heart, and therefore it was as if he stood in front of the Shekhinah"

• Bahya ben Asher (Ki Sisa, 33:7) comments on the verse "And Moses took the tent and pitched it for himself outside the camp, distancing [it] from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting, and it would be that anyone seeking the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp." saying that "From here we see that Moses was called with the Tetragrammaton, and we also find that Jacob is called with El...And we also find by the name of a Tzadik that he is called with the Tetragrammaton...And we also find that by King Messiah that he is called with the Tetragrammaton as it is stated (Jeremiah 23:6)and this is his name that he shall be called, The Lord is our righteousness...And the reason by all of them is because one who cleaves to something, is called by the thing which he is cleaving to."

• Yoel Sirkis (Bach on the Tur Orach Chaim 47) "The purpose of the blessed one was always that one should be involved in Torah in order to bond our souls in the essence and spirituality and holiness of the source of the giver of the Torah...And if one is involved in Torah study with this intention, one becomes a Markavah and Heichal for the Shekhinah may he be blessed, so that the Shekhinah is literally within them, because they are a Heichal to God and within them literally the Shekhinah establishes its dwelling place."

• Chaim Volozhin (Nefesh Hachaim Shaar Aleph Chapter 4)"If someone sanctifies himself properly through the performance of all the Mitzvot...Then he himself is the Beit HaMikdash itself...Because this is the truth regarding Tzadikim through the deeds which are desirable by the blessed one they are the Mikdash mamash"

• Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Mesillas Yesharim Chapter 26)"The holy one who cleaves constantly to God and his soul fires up with true intellectual understanding with great love of his creator and fear...Behold a person like this, he himself, is considered to be like the Tabernacle Beit HaMikdash and the Mizbeiach...And also it is said regarding Tzadikim they are the Markavah, because the Shekhinah dwells in them just like it dwelled in the Beit HaMikdash."

• Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (Marbitzei Torah U'Musar 3rd Section pg 10) "And this thing is so much certain to one that thinks in depth about it, until it is impossible to understand how someone can argue on it, and so was already mentioned in the words of many of the great scholars like the Ramchal and others, that the image of Tzadikim is Hashem may he be blessed, himself, and they are the same"

• In 1951 the seventh Rebbe of chabad, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson said a similar statement, (Lekutei Sichos Vol 2 pg 510-511) saying regarding the practice by Hasidim to have a Rebbe act as an intermediary with God on their behalf, by explaining that "the Rebbe is completely connected with his Hasidim, not like two separate things that connect, rather they become completely one. And the Rebbe is not an intermediary which separates rather he is one that connects. Therefore by a Hassid, he with the Rebbe with God are all one...Therefore one can not ask a question about an intermediary since this is the essence of God Himself, as He has clothed Himself in a human body" While the term received little attention at the time, it was later used to shock those who have no exposure to these sources.

The Zohar (Hebrew זהר Splendor, radiance) is widely considered the most important work of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... The Jerusalem Talmud (In Hebrew Talmud Yerushalmi, in short known as the Yerushalmi), also known as the Palestinian Talmud, (not related to current Palestinian issues at all!), was written in the Land of Israel at the same time of the writing of the the Babylonian Talmud, (which is known as... Elijah (אֱלִיָּהוּ Whose/my God is the Lord, Standard Hebrew Eliyyáhu, Tiberian Hebrew ʾĔliyyāhû), also Elias (NT Greek Ἠλίας), is a prophet of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... Bahya ben Asher or Bahya ben Asher ben Halawa also known as the Rabbeinu Behaye, born about the middle of the thirteenth century at Saragossa, died 1340 was a 13th century rabbi and scholar of Judaism. ... Moses or Móshe (מֹשֶׁה, Standard Hebrew, Tiberian Hebrew Mōšeh, Arabic موسى MÅ«sa, Geez ሙሴ Musse) was a son of Amram and his wife, Jochebed, a Levite. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... It has been suggested that Yaqub be merged into this article or section. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... The Jewish Messiah, (משיח) or Mashiah, Mashiach or Moshiach, has traditionally referred to a future Jewish king from the Davidic line who will be anointed (in Hebrew, mashiach -- משיח (messiah) means anointed with holy anointing oil) and inducted to rule the Jewish people. ... Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem by Rembrandt van Rijn Jeremiah or Yirmiyáhu (יִרְמְיָהוּHis writings are collected in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations. ... Yoel Sirkis (1561-1640) was a rabbi and halakhist (Authority on Jewish law) known to scholars of Judaism. ... Torah () is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or law. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... Chaim Volozhin (or Chaim Volozhiner or Chaim of Volozhin) (1749-1821) was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Talmudist, and ethicist. ... Mitzvah מצוה is Hebrew for commandment (plural mitzvot; from צוה, tzavah - command). ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was built in ancient Jerusalem in c. ... Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (also Moses Chaim, Moses Hayyim, also Luzzato) (1707-1746), also known by the Hebrew acronym as the RAMCHAL (also RAMHAL), was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, mystic, and philosopher best remembered today for his ethical treatise Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just). ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... The Tabernacle is known in Hebrew as the Mishkan (Place of [Divine] dwelling). It was to be a portable central place of worship for the Hebrews from the time they left ancient Egypt following the Exodus, through the time of the Book of Judges when they were engaged in conquering... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was built in ancient Jerusalem in c. ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash) was built in ancient Jerusalem in c. ... Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler ([ [ 1892]]-[[30 diciembre ] ] [ [ 1953 ] ]) era un influyente [ [ juda�smo ortodoxo|Jud�o ortodoxo ] ] [ [ rabbi ] ], [ [ erudito de Talmud]]ic, y fil�sofo jud�o del vig�simo siglo. ... Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (also Moses Chaim, Moses Hayyim, also Luzzato) (1707-1746), also known by the Hebrew acronym as the RAMCHAL (also RAMHAL), was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, mystic, and philosopher best remembered today for his ethical treatise Mesillat Yesharim (Path of the Just). ... At the bottom of the hands, the two letters on each hand combine to form יהוה (YHVH), the name of God. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Rebbe (Hebrew: רבי also rebbi) is a title that may be given to a Rabbi in Orthodox Judaism, particularly within Hasidic Judaism. ... Chabad Lubavitch, also known as Lubavitch Chabad, is a large branch of Hasidic Judaism. ... Rabbi M.M. Schneerson For the third Rebbe of the Chabad Lubavitch dynasty see Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (with an h) Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (April 18, 1902 – June 12, 1994), referred to by his followers as The Rebbe, was a prominent Orthodox Jewish rabbi who was the seventh and last... Hasidic Judaism (from the Hebrew: Chasidut חסידות, meaning pious, from the Hebrew root word chesed חסד meaning loving kindness) is a Haredi Jewish religious movement. ...

References

• Frumer, Assaf. Kol Hanikra Bishmi (Hebrew)
• Lessons In Tanya
• Pavzener, Avraham. Al HaTzadikim (Hebrew). Kfar Chabad. 1991

External links

• Kuntres HaHishtatchus The classic Maamar explaining the significance of visiting the grave of a Tzaddik. (In English) chabad.org
• Maaneh Lashon An English rendition of the prayers to be said at the graveside of the righteous. (In English) chabad.org