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Tzadik
Tzadik (Hebrew word, "righteous one"; plural tzadikim) is a title which is generally given to those who are considered to be righteous such as a spiritual master or rabbi. The root of the word tzadik, is tzedek (צדק), which means justice or righteousness. This term thus refers to one who acts righteously. "Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous [tzadikim] people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it" (Matthew 13:17). In Jewish tradition generally, it's a godly, holy, righteous man. In Hasidic tradition such people, thought to have had supernatural powers, attracted followers and taught their disciples how to live. The implication of verses Matthew 13:16-17 is that nothing inherent in the disciples earned them the privilege of seeing the things you are seeing; the prophets and righteous (tzadikim) may well have been more meritorious; but God reveals himself not on the basis of human merit but by his own sovereign will (Matthew 11:25-30, Romans 9:6-18, 1 Corinthians 1:17-31). In this sense, since Jesus had to be born at a particular time and place (Galates 4:4-5), there necessarily had to be some to whom "it was given" (Matthew 13:11) and others to whom it was not. "Then he said, The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know His will, to see the Righteous One [Tzadik], and to hear his own voice" (Acts 22:14). Paul used the term Tzadik (the "righteous one") for Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach). At Isaiah 53:11, God speaks of "my righteous servant" who will "make many righteous". |