My life-and-death emergencies have been fairly few (kineh hora) and mostly traffic-related. When they have come--as blowouts on deserted freeways, overheated engines in the rush hour whirlwind, or a muffler dropped in the middle of the desert--somehow, miraculously, men have always shown up to help me.  In all cases, they have been scary-looking men I would normally go to all lengths to avoid.  And in all cases, they have been altruistic angels wanting nothing but to assist a person in need.  One of them drove me so far out of his way to get a tire that he was three hours late for Thanksgiving dinner.  These experiences stand out as reminders not to judge or fear people for their looks.  They also help to keep alive in me the suspicion that divine protection might be more than just a myth.