צְדָקָה

“Righteousness” in Hebrew is Tzedakah (צְדָקָה), pronounced “tze-da-KAH.” Tzedakah comes from the root צ-ד-ק (tsade-dalet-qof), meaning 'to be right, just.' In Hebrew, righteousness and charity are the same word — because true righteousness always results in generous action toward others.

Tzedakah (צְדָקָה) means “Righteousness, justice, charity” in Biblical Hebrew. Tzedakah appears 159 times in the Hebrew Bible. It's used for God's righteousness (Psalm 71:19), human righteousness (Genesis 15:6), and acts of charity (Daniel 4:27). Abraham's faith was 'counted as tzedakah' (Genesis 15:6).

Tzedakah is pronounced “tze-da-KAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root צ-ד-ק.

Maimonides ranked charitable giving from lowest to highest: (1) giving reluctantly, (2) giving less than appropriate but cheerfully, (3) giving after being asked, (4) giving before being asked, (5) giving without knowing the recipient, (6) giving anonymously, (7) giving without knowing the recipient and vice versa, (8) helping someone become self-sufficient. The highest form of tzedakah eliminates the need for charity entirely.

In Hebrew thought, righteousness (right standing with God) naturally produces generosity (right action toward others). You cannot be tzaddik (righteous) and ignore the poor. The dual meaning of tzedakah teaches that faith without works is incomplete — a concept James echoes in James 2:17. Biblical righteousness is inherently social and active.