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WHAT IS A ZADDIK?
also spelled TSADDIK, OR ZADDIK (HEBREW: RIGHTEOUS MAN),
plural TZADDIKIM, TSADDIKIM, OR ZADDIKIM, one who embodies the religious ideals
of Judaism. In the Bible, a tzaddik is a just or righteous man (Genesis 6:9),
who, if a ruler, rules justly or righteously (II Samuel 23:3) and who takes joy
in justice (Proverbs 21:15). The Talmud (compendium of Jewish law, lore, and
commentary) asserts that the continued existence of the world is due to the
merits of 36 individuals, each of whom is gamur tzaddik ("completely
righteous"). While recognizing that tzaddikim have special privileges, the
Talmud also notes their special obligations. They are at least partially
responsible for the sins of their generation. In the 18th-century Pietistic
movement known as Hasidism, the Jewish religious leader (tzaddik) was viewed as
a mediator between man and God. Because the tzaddik's life was expected to be a
living expression of the Torah, his behaviour was even more important than his
doctrine. Rabbi Leib, a disciple of Dov Bae of Mezhirich, thus was said to have
visited his master not to hear explanations of the Torah but to see how Dov Baer
laced and unlaced his shoes. In early Hasidism, the tzaddik traveled widely and
often seemed to engage in such secular matters as idle talk and the consumption
of wine. The Hasidic formula for such conduct was "descent on behalf of
ascent" ('aliyya tzrikha yerida)--a calculated risk to strengthen the
spiritual life of the Jewish community. Whereas some tzaddikim lived simple and
humble lives, others sought wealth and luxury. Toward the end of the 18th
century the tzaddikim ceased to travel. Thereafter, they were available at home
for those who sought advice and instructions. This change gave rise to
"practical tzaddikism," a development that included, among other
things, the writing of a kuittel ("prayer note") to guarantee the
success of petitions made by visitors who offered money for the service. Such
developments contributed to the gradual deterioration of an institution that had
earlier een a vital spiritual force within Jewish communities.
The idea of the tzaddik and his authority originates in the
book of Bereshith (Genesis) during a discussion between HaShem (Y-VH) and
Avraham the Patriarch. Avraham is aware that HaShem is about to punish the towns
of the Plain including Sodomah and Gemorrah. He asks the Lord whether he will
destroy the Tzaddik with the wicked. He poses that perhaps there are 50
tzaddikim in the town. The Lord agrees not to destroy the town if there are at
least 10 tzaddikim in the town. From this story, we learn first that a Tzaddik
may bargain on behalf of the world with HaShem. We know this because Avraham was
a tzaddik. Second, we learn that the world needs at least 10 tzaddikim at any
time to continue in existence because surely the whole world today is as wicked
as was Sodomah in Avraham's time. Third, we are told that so long as there are
at least 10 tzaddikim, they can stand in the breach between the anger of HaShem
and the destruction of the world.
We know that the Nasorean community believed in Tzaddikim and
in their power to intercede. Ya'akov ha Tzaddik, the Brother of Yeshua ha
Meshiach says these words in his Letter to the Nasorean Movement when he was
Melchizedek High Priest of Earth and head of the Qahal:
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray
for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a Tzaddik is
very powerful. Eliyah was a human being like us (meaning like Ya'akov); but he
prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it
did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and
the earth produced its fruit." Ya'akov (James) 3:16-18.
From this passage we hear of the power of the Tzaddik to
intercede for sin and for rain. In the Nasorean Qahal, sin and illness are seen
as one. Thus, the Tzaddik is seen as a healer and confessor. He is seen as a
miracle worker as well for he can produce rain by fervent prayer. A similar
story is told of Yeshua's grandfather Honi the Circle-Drawer who was a Tzaddik
of the highest order.
It is said that the Tzaddikim are the pillars which uphold
the world. It is said that the Tzaddikim are channels of light through the husk
of Malkuth that brings the Kingdom to realization on Earth. It is said that
everyone that touches a Tzaddik has his life changed, either for better or for
worse, but no one can resist their power for they have grace and being around
grace makes one a part of the grace.
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