*

Phillip Temples resides in Watertown, Massachusetts and works as a systems administrator at a local university. He’s had over 140 short stories and a novella published in various print and online publications, along with two mystery-thriller novels and a short story anthology. Phil’s third novel is slated for publication in April, 2019. In addition to his writing, Phil is an amateur radio operator and sings in a garage band.

Phillip Temples

Lamed Vavnik

The concept of the Lamed Vavnik is rooted in the kabbalah. It is the belief that there are thirty-six righteous people in existence without whom the world would come to an end. The lamed-vavniks do not know other lamed-vavniks, nor do they even know they are one of the thirty-six. The number 36 is twice 18, which in Jewish numerology stands for “life.” It is said, YHVH, or God, “preserves the world for their sake even if the rest of humanity has degenerated to the level of barbarism.”

Yesterday, the Archangel of death, Azrael, לארזע ʿázarʾēl, appeared to me on a busy sidewalk. He held in his hand a golden scroll. It is said the fate of all living mortals is inscribed upon the scroll. But the scroll did not terrify me. Rather, it was what the angel whispered directly in my ear: “there are now only 35.”

— Phillip Temples

________________________________________
To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu