Created in God’s Image: The Jewish Meaning of Tzelem Enosh

Oded asks: "Dear Rabbi, shalom and blessings.
I would like to know: what is the meaning of “tzelem enosh” (human image/dignity), and at what point can a person be said to have “lost his tzelem enosh” according to Judaism and according to the terms of today’s Western world?"

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Shalom and blessings,

The concept of tzelem enosh is connected to God’s creation of humanity, for man was created “in the image of God.” This does not refer, of course, to physical appearance, but rather to the inner essence of a person. The human being most closely resembles God in his inner qualities, more than any other creature in existence.

Losing one’s tzelem enosh is a phrase applied to someone who behaves in direct opposition to God’s attributes, such as an unrepentant murderer, or someone who is utterly corrupt, selfish, and cruel. In this sense, there is little difference between Judaism and the modern world’s understanding, because divine logic is imprinted deep within us, and every soul intuitively recognizes it.

Because God’s way is to do good and show mercy, a person must work on his character traits to resemble his Creator. One who turns in the opposite direction is said to have lost his human image. A tragic example is the Nazis, who treated human beings as though they were animals — thereby erasing their tzelem enosh.