זְכוּת f. (זָכָה) 1) acquittal, favorable judgment, plea in defence.—לִמֵּד ז׳ to plead in favor of the defendant. Snh. IV, 1 הכל מלמדין ז׳ all are permitted to plead for the defendant. Ib. פותחין לז׳ the opening argument must be for the defence. Ib. מטין על פי אחד לז׳ a majority of one is sufficient for acquittal; a. fr.—Ab. I, 6 הוי דן … לכף ז׳ judge every man with an inclination in his favor. Sabb. 32ᵃ הבא ז׳ והפטר bring pleaders in thy favor (good deeds) and be acquitted; a. fr. —2) doing good, blessing. Taan. 29ᵃ, a. fr. מגלגלין ז׳, v. גִּלְגֵּל.—Y. Naz. VII, 56ᵃ bot. נתכוונתי לז׳ I had the intention of doing good; Treat. S’maḥ. IV, end. [Ib. תחלת זכותי, read: תשמישי.] —3) the protecting influence of good conduct, merit. Y. Peah I, 16ᵇ top הז׳ יש לה קרן וכ׳ good deeds have a capital and interests (reward the author and protect his offspring).—R. Hash. 11ᵃ בז׳ אבות for the sake of the Patriarchs; בז׳ אימהות for the sake of the Mothers (Sarah &c.). Ber. 27ᵇ לית ליה ז׳ אבות has no distinguished ancestry to rely on. Gen. R. s. 44 זְכוּתְךָ עומדת וכ׳ thy guarding influence shall stand by them. Snh. 12ᵃ בז׳ הרחמים ובזְכוּתָם through Divine mercy and their own merits; a. fr. —4) advantage, privilege, benefit. B. Mets. 19ᵃ ז׳ הוא לעבד וכ׳ liberty is a benefit to the slave. Tosef. Gitt. I, 5 היאך נמצא ז׳ וכ׳ ed. Zuck. (Var. מפני מה זכין) how dare we obtain a benefit for this slave?; a. fr.—Pl. זָכִיּוֹת. Yoma 86ᵇ זדונות נעשו לו כז׳ wilful wrongs are accounted to him (who repents) as though they were merits. Taan. 20ᵇ מנכין לו מזָכִיּוֹתָיו it is deducted from the rewards for his good deeds. Ex. R. s. 38, end; a. fr.