Love your enemies

An ancient Jewish tradition speaks of the Lamed Vov, thirty-six hidden Just Men upon whom the continued existence of the world depends. They are indistinguishable from other human beings except for the heartbreaking depth of their caring. When one of them dies, another has to take his place, for only so long as these thirty-six Just Men exist, just so long will God allow the world to continue to exist.

A young boy was informed by his grandfather that one of the Lamed Vov has just died and that he has to take his place. He can soon expect to attain the glow that is the aura of his coming ascendancy. The boy was bewildered as to what he should do. The old man assures him that he need only be himself. The boy worries about his role and fantasizes doing tortures and self-sacrifices, starting with holding his breath as long as he can and holding a match to his hand.