Tsadiq
/ˈtsɑː.dɪk/noun
A righteous or saintly person, especially in Jewish religious and mystical tradition.
Did you know?In Hasidic Judaism, a tsadiq—often spelled tzaddik—could be regarded as a spiritual intermediary whose blessings and teachings brought divine presence into ordinary life.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ṣ-d-q
“A root associated with being just, righteous, or truthful”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
צַדִּיק (ṣaddīq)
“Righteous, just, or morally upright”
Second Temple Period
Aramaic
צַדִּיקָא (ṣaddīqā)
“A righteous person”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
צַדִּיק (tsaddiq)
“A righteous person or saintly religious figure”
18th Century
Yiddish
צדיק (tsadik/tzadik)
“A spiritually elevated leader, especially in Hasidic Judaism”
Modern English
English
tsadiq
“A transliteration variant of tzaddik, meaning a righteous or saintly person”