Rob Brezsny gives me a story idea...

[kitchen_kink]

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): According to Jewish legend, there are in each
generation 36 righteous humans who prevent the rest of us from being
destroyed. Through their extraordinary good deeds and their love of the
divine spark, they save the world over and over again. They're not famous
saints, though. They go about their business anonymously, and no one
knows how crucial they are to our well-being. Might you be one of the
36? I bet you'll be acting like one of them in the coming week. Your
capacity for disseminating blessings will be astounding. The ripples of
benevolence you initiate could ultimately go around the planet and return
to you.

Anyone know about this legend? I would love to write a novel about The 36. Or even just a short story.

Comments

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite novels, Nicholas Mosley's "Hopeful Monsters" is very loosely structured around this story, although it has little to do with the actual plot of the book.

[vesper2000.livejournal.com]

Er, yes. They're called the "Tzadikim Nistarim", or the "Lamed Vev" (which means "36", as I've been told), and that also happens to be the name of a blend of oils from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab that I use in ritual.

[sigerson.livejournal.com]

If you've ever read Three Septembers and a January, one of the Sandman stories, there's a reference to the 36 Tzikaddim as well, and a strong hint that Emperor Norton was one.

I also have the BPAL fragrance...would you like an imp?

[vanguardcdk.livejournal.com]

There is an old-time radio program talking about this legend. The protagonist finds out he's one of the 36..and is in danger of failing.

It was a good episode, wish I could remember which program it was.

[wotw]

"The Last of the Just" is a novel built on this
legend----and one of the most beautiful and
heartbreaking and riveting novels that I have
ever read. I've given away dozens of copies.

[beah.livejournal.com]

The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon features a character who is one of the righteous.

[sen-no-ongaku.livejournal.com]

Stephen Billias's "The Quest for the 36" is about a fellow searching for them; it's a sweet, young-adult-level read.

[captainsquiggly.livejournal.com]

Freewill astrology is good stuff. There seem to be several which involved numbers...

Have you checked out any of the others?

[harlequinaide.livejournal.com]

So, lots of people have told this story. But you haven't told your version. I'm finding these comments disheartening, as though people are saying "it's already been done."

The Dietrich version hasn't been written, though. Keep that in mind.

[greendalek.livejournal.com]

Seconded. It's time to reboot/revitalize/reinvent this legend, Dietrich-style. I'll even do the cover for the novel, free of charge.

[bouncyone.livejournal.com]

ohhhh I like it!

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

"It's been done" does sound negative, but I don't think it's necessarily discouraging to say "you're not the only one who has found this idea inspiring of creativity! here are all these cool examples!"

I actually am kicking around the same concept WRT a YA novel (that's how I heard of The Last of the Just, which I haven't yet made time to read), and here is the body of "research" links I filed in my to-do list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamed_Vav_Tzadikim
http://www.wingsofwitness.org/schrierart4.htm
http://mexicanhorse.tripod.com/mogen_david.htm
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1228325
http://philologos.org/bpr/files/misc_studies/ms091.htm
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/lamed_vav.html