The world is sustained by 36 special, ordinary people. (As James Baldwin said, a very few —“that’s enough”.) In mystical Jewish tradition/folklore, that is: these are the Tzadikim Nistarin, the "hidden righteous ones".
"Who are these 36?STORY IDEA: Write a short bio, or 36 bios, of these anonymous people whose existence justifies the world's continued existence. They’re ordinary, they aren’t the famous heavy hitters. What would one be like?
We don't know. Even the 36 don't know.
So what is the lesson?
The lesson is to treat each other. . . as if we might be one. Or who knows? You might be standing next to one now."
Extra credit: Write about, what if you are one?
Ben Shahn, "Silent Music", 1950 (Wash DC Nat'l Gallery)
*"Who are these 36?"--from the TV series Transparent, S3 ep. 5, "Oh Holy Night", spoken by Rabbi Raquel Fine
_____________________
Shake It Off
Meanwhile, we, in the lunar calendar, enter The Year of the Snake--not the Western snake, with its bad rep, but the Wise Snake of the East.
Time to shed the old tight skin, shake off the too-tight restrictions!
The snake in Eden was right anyway:
God is keeping you like pets, like powerless stupid children.
Time to Grow Up!
Girlettes are wise without being grown up--they wanted to get painted with snake patterns with Gel Glue from bink, who helped.
Here they are with my NEW Royal typewriter––from an old friend, Lynn W. She is slowly divesting herself of possessions as she is deteriorating with ALS.
Ben Shahn, "Silent Music", 1950 (Wash DC Nat'l Gallery)
My favorite of the 36 was a print I saw: "The Idler". I can't remember the artist! It showed a man sitting at a table with wine and a book, talking and gesturing. They were otherwise from all walks of life.
"Even if the rest of humanity has degenerated to the level of total barbarism, God preserves the world for the sake of these 36 hidden ones."*"Who are these 36?"--from the TV series Transparent, S3 ep. 5, "Oh Holy Night", spoken by Rabbi Raquel Fine
_____________________
Shake It Off
Meanwhile, we, in the lunar calendar, enter The Year of the Snake--not the Western snake, with its bad rep, but the Wise Snake of the East.
Time to shed the old tight skin, shake off the too-tight restrictions!
The snake in Eden was right anyway:
God is keeping you like pets, like powerless stupid children.
Time to Grow Up!
Girlettes are wise without being grown up--they wanted to get painted with snake patterns with Gel Glue from bink, who helped.
Here they are with my NEW Royal typewriter––from an old friend, Lynn W. She is slowly divesting herself of possessions as she is deteriorating with ALS.
I'd nominate our favorite gas station manager as one of the 36. I can hardly think of anyone else who touches so many people's lives in positive ways.
ReplyDeleteGood one! (And not just cause she likes your dog.)
DeleteI was trying to remember which religious tradition it is that has the idea of a small number of people sustaining the world. I looked and looked — and here’s the answer. Thanks, Fresca.
ReplyDeleteOh, yay—glad I was on the right wavelength!
DeleteFabulous sheddable snake skins.
ReplyDeleteI sure am hoping that they can “shed” (wash off) the gel glue without staining…
Delete