Kadosh

Kadosh is a Hebrew word meaning holy or sacred. It stems from the root קדש (q-d-sh), meaning to be set apart or dedicated for a divine purpose. In Jewish religious thought, kadosh denotes what is sanctified by God or by ritual, and God is repeatedly described as holy in the Hebrew Bible. The concept underpins kedushah, the act or state of sanctification in worship, and it appears in liturgical phrases drawn from biblical verses such as “holy, holy” that recur in Jewish prayers.

In biblical and rabbinic usage, kadosh is applied to God, to people who are set apart for holy service, and to objects, days, or places designated for sacred use. The term appears in liturgical contexts, including prayers and hymns that emphasize holiness, and it informs the framework of ritual purity, sanctification, and reverence within Jewish practice.

In modern culture, kadosh is also encountered outside religious texts. It is used as a surname in Jewish communities and as part of various brand or cultural references. The word has been adopted as a title in the arts; most notably, Kadosh is the title of a 1999 Israeli film by Amos Gitai, released internationally as Holy, which engages themes related to Jewish religious life and society.

Overall, kadosh remains a central concept in Judaism for describing what is consecrated, revered, and set apart for the sacred.