In this entry I thought I’d add some visual tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast featuring the Golem a creature of Jewish folklore. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:

You can check out my podcast here:

Season 1 Episode 4:

The Golem - Clay Protector of Mud Monster

WHO IS THE GOLEM?

The Golem is as Jewish tale whose primary narrative comes from the late 1500s though there are earlier accounts of the creature made of clay. Many of the various tales revolve around the Golem being created mystically as a helper and often as protector against anti-Semitic violence (pogroms). Perhaps the most noted tale is of the Golem of Prague and the story goes: The Jews needed some protection from the madness. Enter the chief rabbi of Prague, Judah Loew ben Bezalel.Rabbi Lowe, being learned and wise devises a plan using ancient and secret methods. Out of clay he forms a large man. This is known as a Golem. It is said in the Talmud that Adam was initially created as a Golem when dust was "kneaded into a shapeless hunk". The Golems were all made of clay and could be made by holy men who were privy to divine secrets, but they lacked that spark that makes a human, human.Without the direct hand of God, they were merely obedient hulks. Clay robots in essence.In some versions of the tale speak of a scroll with the names of God written on it, place in the mouth of the creature is what brings the creature to life. Other version speak of the word "truth", in Hebrew: Emet (אמת), written across his forehead; this activates the Golem. By erasing the first letter aleph (א), Emet turns to Met (מת) meaning death, and the Golem is destroyed.So Rabbi Loew creates the Golem and the clay man does his duty, but he does it a bit too well...not only defending but he starts to go amok and killing gentiles. The Emperor promises to stop the persecution of Jews if Rabbi Loew will deactivate the Golem. Loew agrees and erases the first letter from his creations forehead changing "truth" to "death". The Golem was then stored in the attic of the Old New Synagogue of Prague where he could be reactivated in the Jews ever needed there protector again.

Here is where he is supposed to be...up those rungs...