#101 / Righteous People

According to Jewish tradition, in every generation there are 36 righteous people in the world whose role in life is to justify the purpose of humankind to God. These righteous ones are called the Tzadikim or the Nistarim. Tradition holds that their identities are unknown, even to themselves, and certainly they are not known to each other. They are responsible for the continuation of the universe. The way I see it, they are somehow able, by their own good behavior, to encourage just enough good behavior in the rest of us that the world can go on.

Probably (though we will never know), those holding high federal office, or the recipients of major grants and awards, are not automatically on the list.

That means that the rest of us might have a chance. 

Image Credit: 
http://eteacherbiblical.com/articles/tzadikim-nistarim