Reply To: Scott Beigel z”l

According to Rambam a tzaddik is someone whose mitzvot outweigh his aveirot – and we do not know the weights (Hilchot Teshuva 3:1-2). Thety are different for each individual (Rav Dessler, Michtav meEliahu, Kuntras Nekudat haBechira). However, for some reason the minhag is that “zatzal” is only written about talmidei chachamim. After the name of a murder victim we write “Hy’d”.