There’s an ancient Hebrew truth: צַדִּיק יְסוֹד עוֹלָם (Tzaddik yesod olam) — The righteous is the foundation of the world (Proverbs 10:25).
But what does that mean in real life — especially for leaders?
In Kabbalistic terms, the צַדִּיק (tzaddik), the righteous person, stands on the סְפִירָה יְסוֹד (sefira Yesod) — the spiritual “foundation.” Yesod is the connecting channel between the higher, more abstract worlds of אֲצִילוּת (Atzilut) and בְּרִיאָה(Beriah) — realms of vision, intention, and soul — and the more tangible, action-oriented worlds of יְצִירָה (Yetzirah) and עֲשִׂיָּה (Asiyah).
Yesod is where the intangible becomes tangible. Where purpose meets practice.
In everyday leadership, this Yesod energy is often filtered through ego — shaped by our own perceptions, needs, and defenses. But when a leader has done the inner work, they no longer block the flow — they become a clear channel. They don’t absorb attention. They conduct direction. This is the shift from ego to שליחות (shlichut) — from personal agenda to purposeful service.
This is the work of תִּקוּן הַנֶּפֶשׁ (Tikkun HaNefesh) and תִּקוּן עוֹלָם (Tikkun Olam): healing the inner world to restore the outer one. Without this depth, leaders may still create results — but the foundation remains fragile.
The tzaddik-leader connects worlds. They know how to move between the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They understand people, systems, and purpose. They are bridge-builders — not just between departments or strategies, but between humanity and its higher potential.
What Does This Look Like in Real Life?
- Bill Gates, after building Microsoft, reinvested his fortune into global health, education, and impact. He’s not just donating — he’s channeling a higher vision. That’s Yesod at work.
- The leader who creates a culture where people work from חֹזֶק (chozek – inner strength) and הַנְעָה פְּנִימִית(hana’ah p’nimit – intrinsic motivation), not just fear or habit. In a world where only 23% of employees feel engaged (Gallup, 2023), that’s not a luxury — that’s what leadership must become.
- An entrepreneur I recently met built a highly profitable company and now uses part of the profits to help others start purpose-driven businesses. He doesn’t just mentor — he empowers. He turns capital into calling. He multiplies meaning.
These are tzaddikim of our time. They don’t just lead organizations. They create foundations — often quietly, always with clarity and intention.
That is why the righteous — the צַדִּיק — is the foundation of the world.
About Circle of Gerona
We create/facilitate executive leadership programs, pilgrimages and sometimes concepts.
With our experience in the world of business, corporate leadership and Kabbalah we help executives to create from their core like great leaders.