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* In "Three Septembers and a January," from Neil Gaiman's comic The Sandman, Death remarks: "they say that the world rests on the backs of 36 living saints – 36 unselfish men and women. Because of them the world continues to exist. They are the secret kings and queens of this world." | * In "Three Septembers and a January," from Neil Gaiman's comic The Sandman, Death remarks: "they say that the world rests on the backs of 36 living saints – 36 unselfish men and women. Because of them the world continues to exist. They are the secret kings and queens of this world." | ||
==Sources== | |||
* Book of Imaginary Beings by J.L. Borges | |||
[[Category: Jewish mythology]] | [[Category: Jewish mythology]] | ||
Revision as of 13:06, 11 April 2011
The Tzadikim Nistarim, Lamedvavniks or Lamed Wufniks are a group of entities in Jewish folklore.
Etymology
The term lamedvavnik is derived from the Hebrew letters Lamed (L) and Vav (V), whose numerical value adds up to 36. The "nik" at the end is a Russian or Yiddish suffix indicating "a person who..." (As in "Beatnik"; in English, this would be something like calling them "The Thirty-Sixers".) The number 36 is twice 18. In gematria (a form of Jewish numerology), the number 18 stands for "life", because the Hebrew letters that spell chai, meaning "living", add up to 18. Because 36 = 2×18, it represents "two lives".
Description
There are thirty-six Tzadikim Nistarim in the world. They are scattered across the earth, and they do not know each other. A Nistarim is always a poor man, but they are regardless just and good. Although they do not understand their own importance, they are the protectors of the world. Their purpose is to prove the goodness in humanity; if it were not for them, God would destroy all of humanity. The Nistarim do not know what they are. If a man discovers or comes to realize that he is one of the thirty-six, he immediately dies and another replaces him. In some sources, they are too humble to accept or believe their true nature.
It is also said that the future Messiah will be one of the Nistarim, although it is uncertain whether he will be aware of his role.
Origin
This story originates from the Book of Genesis, in which God states that he would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if ten good men could be found in them.
Art/Fiction
- The mystery thriller novel The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne deals with the murder of the righteous ones, one by one, and solving the murders.
- In "Three Septembers and a January," from Neil Gaiman's comic The Sandman, Death remarks: "they say that the world rests on the backs of 36 living saints – 36 unselfish men and women. Because of them the world continues to exist. They are the secret kings and queens of this world."
Sources
- Book of Imaginary Beings by J.L. Borges