A friend recently drew this to my attention:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/10/1060454075552.html
Six year olds of today living to 120?
It seems improbable…?
In addition to the 36 Tzaddiks there was the medievel tradition of the “Wandering Jew” who according to legend, was a shoemaker who taunted Jesus on his way to the cross. As a result, Jesus condemned him to wander the Earth until the second coming.
Swell guy, that Jesus! Forgives the entire crowd for crying out for his blood and forgives the soldiers for beating him nearly to death and eventually killing him, but curses a shoemaker for taunting him…