The tzadik

Moshe Cohen

The tzadik

Tzadik ( “righteous one;” pl. tzadikim) is a title which is generally given to those who are considered to be righteous such as a spiritual master or rebbe. The root of the word tzadik, is tzedek , which means justice or righteousness. This term thus refers to one who acts righteously.

In classic Jewish thought, the true title of tzadik can only be applied to one who not only never sins, but also has eradicated any inclination to do so.

The Talmud says that at least 36 Tzadikim Nistarim - anonymous tzadikim - are living among us at all times; they are anonymous, and it is for their sake alone that the world is not destroyed. The Talmud and the Kabbalah offer various ideas about the nature and role of these 36 tzadikim.

The image was taken in the Wstern Wall Jerusalem.
Passover April 22 2008.

The tzadik belongs to the following groups:

Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, *1:1 with the News (Images Only With a Story), *A Beautiful Blur, All About Your Best Work, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Altered by Design, ART ACTION UNION - CREATIVE ACTIVISM, Art of the Middle East, Bagels and Lox - Jewish themed art and writing, Beginner's Expressions, Candid Photography, Capturing Emotion, Core [C.O.R.E], Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Descriptions, Digital Photography, Everyday Life, First Things, Freedom In Words & Art, Freedom to Shine, Hands, Images & Ideas, Kairos, Live, Love, Dream: , MAJOR EVENT , Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Mysteries of the Common, People and Portraiture Photography, PixElations - The Art of Photoshop, Religious Art & Photography, Safe Haven, Simply White Artwork Gallery - 95% White !, Solo Exhibition, Something To Say, Spiritual Art, Street Photography and Photojournalism, The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄, The Human Condition, The true beauty, THE WAIST UP - Portraiture Photography 2 per 24 hour limit, Travel and Adventure and True Potential - art showing the intention to make this world a better place. Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
The tzadik by Moshe Cohen
The tzadik by Moshe Cohen
  • Mary Aleckson

    Mary Aleckson

    What a wonderous capture. He looks very engaged in his thoughts (prayers) I like how the focus is directly on him and how it shines in white. Great photo.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Mary, I feel very lucky that I have been there at the right moment.

  • mcquaid

    mcquaid

    Shalom I enjoyed the power and the piety of this capture,wishing strength and courage for the tzadikim in these trying times.Regards.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you and I join your wishing.

  • Jacqueline Baker

    Jacqueline Baker

    this is definately one of my favorite images of yours, it has a real sense of emotion and depth…fantastic!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Jacqueline, what can i say? It’s really magical moment.

  • Eyal Nahmias

    Eyal Nahmias

    I think you nailed this image .. A well done selective focusing and selection of the main person in PS. I do agree with Jacqeline, This is one of the best emotive and evocative images you posted. A wonderful title, info and concept.. Thanks for adding this image to the Art of the Middle East group.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Eyal, thank you for your comment.
    This image is my favorite.
    This is what I am trying to do when I shoot people, to capture emotion.

  • jtaft

    jtaft

    this is just magic! thank you for sharing :)

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Jess, it really is magical.

  • KEITH R. WILLIAMS

    KEITH R. WILL...

    great shot

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you.

  • Gerijuliaj

    Gerijuliaj

    Beautiful photo and I just love your writing about the Tzadik. The purity of the white is superb and adds to the emotion of the photo.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you, I added the writing to explain what is Tzadik which is an Hebrew word you probably never heard before.

  • GloriaDK

    GloriaDK

    Moshe may we all be generous. I like the way you explain the source and meaning of your photographs.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Gloria.

  • Ilunia Felczer

    Ilunia Felczer

    beautiful shot Moshe…..

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Ilunia.

  • Jacqueline Baker

    Jacqueline Baker

    Moshe congratulations on winning the competition well deserved!!!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Jacqueline.

  • dominiquelandau

    dominiquelandau

    congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! Moshe…:) beautiful image!!!!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you.

  • Ames

    Ames

    WOW!
    Yasher Koach!
    That is a true spiritual moment captured beautifully!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Ames.

  • Estelle O'Brien

    Estelle O'Brien

    Moshe I’m so happy that this particular image won the competition. It is a beautiful picture of a very spiritual image….your explanations always add more meaning to the emotion already present in your photograph. A timeless capture.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Estelle.

  • Peter Evans

    Peter Evans

    You really caught the moment here mate.
    Fantastic shot and congratulations on this being the winner !!!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Peter.
    As i wrote in my profile for me to take a good picture is to be in the right place at the right moment.

  • Peter Evans

    Peter Evans

    I totally agree but I also believe that the awareness and connectivity of the photographer helps in those situations. It’s not all luck!!!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Yes of course, I agree.

  • bamagirl38

    bamagirl38

    This is terrific !!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Bonita.

  • Hannah Nicholas

    Hannah Nicholas

    Such a powerful image.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Hannah.

  • docophoto

    docophoto

    So uplifting and perfectly balanced. Wonderful photograph in every way.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you for yout kind comment.

  • Peta Ridley

    Peta Ridley

    Amazing shot Moshe, great balance in the composition and real emotional content as well. Great work…

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Peta.
    Keep on the good work.

  • Bernard Raskin

    Bernard Raskin

    A wonderful shot Moshe.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Bernard.

  • Kathryn Potempski

    Kathryn Potempski

    Fantasic comp,wonderful capture,a real winner I love this photo.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Kathryn.
    By the way the image won the contest of April in Art of the Middle East group and is now the groups avatar.

  • Kathryn Potempski

    Kathryn Potempski

    Congrats,I am not surprised as this truly is an amazing photo Moche you must be proud

  • Alan Findlater

    Alan Findlater

    very good work well done

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Alan.

  • LinaJ

    LinaJ

    wow, great shot!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Lina.

  • Peta Ridley

    Peta Ridley

    Moshe, this is amazing!

  • H M Bascom

    H M Bascom

    White has always been associated with purity and being without sin. Very interesting description. Excellent photo. The DoF draws the eye directly to the Tzadik. Well done.

  • Zaldy Infante

    Zaldy Infante

    awesome… great use of selective coloring!

  • CATNIPMEOW

    CATNIPMEOW

    This is so very magical…......love it !!!
    So did you know that you would see one while there ? OR this was a very lucky capture ?
    I had never heard of these before…....now I shall read up !

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Well, I went there on a mission, to capture some interesting images for my group Art of the Middle East, I searched prayers in devotion and was there.
    You can see the image Faith taken on the same day in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem.

  • Judith Oppenheimer

    Judith Oppenhe...

    an amazing image, love the title and commentary

  • Natalie Broome

    Natalie Broome

    Fantastic image!

  • Dawne Olson

    Dawne Olson

    Amazing capture. Emotionally compelling and intruiging commentary.

  • richardseah

    richardseah

    Great image. And thanks for the very interesting information that comes with it. My vote for Closer to God. (But come to think of it, maybe sinners rather than righteous ones are closer!)

  • DaveBassett

    DaveBassett

    Congratulations on your “Closer to god” challenge win. I think you beat me by one vote. It certainly is a great image and definitely a worthy winner.

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you very much, you image in contest is wonderful.

  • amarica

    amarica

    Well done Moshe!! Congratulations on placing in the top ten in the “slice of life” challenge in the All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical group!!!

  • Cora Wandel

    Cora Wandel

    Moshe, excellent image and writing, welcome again to our group!

    Your Hosts,

    Anne-Marie & Cora

  • Cora Wandel

    Cora Wandel

    Congratulations Moshe!

    Your Hosts,

    Anne-Marie & Cora

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Excellent capture in both composition and color, and candid pose and expression! And very interesting description! Congrats on ImageWriting feature!

  • Rosy Kueng

    Rosy Kueng


    ON YOUR FEATURE!!! BEAUTIFUL CAPTURE AND WELL DESERVED :o))

  • LynnH64

    LynnH64

    Mazel Tov!! SUPER shot!

  • deannedaffy

    deannedaffy

    BRILLIANT!!!!!!!

  • phil decocco

    phil decocco

    moshe
    this is so compelling and powerful! His confident, yet humble presence comes through. The focus on him, softer on others wonderful!
    phil

  • clizzio

    clizzio

    Very interesting

  • Taylor Sawyer

    Taylor Sawyer


    Congrats on your feature! You are now invited to enter
    this piece into The Best of White!

  • Jane Keats

    Jane Keats

    Wonderful photography!!

  • smallfox

    smallfox

    Wonderful shot! Good use of focus to bring out the subject.

    I’ve read about this, can’t remember where – the hidden saints they were called.

  • Tracey Boulton

    Tracey Boulton

    This is such a beautiful shot. Well done Moshe!

  • Carol Berliner

    Carol Berliner

    Wooooooow amaaaaaazing work!! I looooove it! Instsant fav!

  • gabryshak

    gabryshak

    incredible image and the sc works extremely well to add that extra element of having him stand out from the crowd… excellent work! ♥

  • linaji

    linaji

    so are there some that are known and the 36 are unknown? how is this one known if he is part of the 36?? Shot is exquisite. most of the time the side bar info is not as interesting as the shot.. but i must say they are both fascinating Moshe

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    I don’t know if he is one of the 36, since nobody knows who they are.
    There is a story about one Rebbe.
    He wanted to know who will be his partners in heaven.
    After a lot of investigation, he was told about 2 men that will be with him in heaven.
    He found them and asked them some questions, to find out why they desreve to arrive to heaven.
    They told him they are not familiar with the Jewish faith, and don’t pray or learn all day. They are simple people working in the city market.
    When they see somebody sad they make him laugh, and when they see people arguing, they try to pacify them.
    This story demonstrates the most important thing in the jewish faith. Rabi Akiva once said: “Love your friend as much as you love yourself”.
    The Kabbalah says that the problem in this gereration is the big ego, only when you give to others without any reward, like fame or recognition, you feel good.
    Giving is not always something materialistic, to make somebody happy is sometimes more importent then giving him some money.

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    Wonderful work Moshe, this page is a fascinating read!

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you Sharon.

  • Colleen Milburn

    Colleen Milburn

    This image is just superb, Moshe – absolutely beautifully done :))

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you so much Colleen.

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    A wonderful moment captured so very well Moshe.. Inspiration of Joy..
    Chuck..

  • Moshe Cohen replied

    Thank you so much.

  • Eyal Nahmias

    Eyal Nahmias 7 days ago

    Congratulations. Top ten Men Challenge well done!

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.