tzidkiyah

Tzidkiyah is a Hebrew word transliterated from the root צ-ד-ק, which in both biblical Hebrew and later rabbinic literature carries a range of meanings related to moral uprightness, justice, and right conduct. The noun form, צִדְקִיָּה, literally denotes “righteousness” or “the state of being righteous.” It is graphically derived from the verb צָדק (to be righteous or just), whose root expresses concepts of fairness, equity, and moral rectitude.

In the Hebrew Bible, tzidkiyah appears with divine connotations; for instance, Psalm 96:11 includes the phrase “They shall bow down and praise thee in righteousness,” indicating that righteousness functions as a foundational principle of worship. The prophets likewise celebrate tzidkiyah as a key attribute of the Messiah’s reign, signifying societal repair and divine justice. In rabbinic literature, the term acquires Juristic nuance, often used in discussions of “lawful” versus “unlawful” behavior (halakhic rulings) and in the context of tzedakah (charitable giving), stressing that righteous acts are inherently lawful.

In modern Hebrew, the word maintains its classical meaning but is also used colloquially to describe a person’s personal morality or professional integrity. “Her tzidkiyah” can refer to her personal ethical stance or to her right‑handedness if used metaphorically, illustrating the term’s dynamic usage across eras. Tzidkiyah remains central in Jewish ethical discourse, where it is sometimes paired with its counterpart, צדקּוּת (tzedut), the social dimension of justice, underscoring the term’s dual personal and societal roles.