Golem (Jewish folklore)

The golem is a mythological creature from Jewish folklore. A distinguishing characteristic of the golem is that a creator constructs it using clay or stone. While there are many variations of the myth, the golem is often portrayed as initially under the control of its creator. Some versions become unruly and violent, while others interpret commands very literally, leading to unintended consequences.

The story of the golem has influenced many aspects of society. Philosophically, it has raised discussions regarding free will, the relationship between creator and creations, and the morality of controlling another being. The discussions are also relevant in a religious context. Both Jewish and Christian creation stories refer to God forming the first human out of earth, which the golem's origin directly parallels. The creature has also inspired numerous art pieces and fictional beings. It is a prominent symbol in the Czech Republic, where one of the most famous versions of a golem myth originated.

Background

The traditional golem myth took place in Prague—capital of the present-day Czech Republic—in the sixteenth century. The Jewish community in Prague was under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. Rumors arose that the Jews were in danger of persecution at the empire's hands.

The rabbi, Judah Loew ben Bezalel, sought a method to protect his people. He went to the nearby Vltava River, gathered clay, and formed a large humanoid construct. Using Jewish rituals, he was able to give it life. Many versions of the story involve Loew inscribing Hebrew words on the golem. Some iterations have it on the golem itself, while others said Loew used a small tablet or scroll known as a shem that was placed in its mouth or forehead. Once activated, the golem served as a guardian and servant of the Jewish people, warding off threats and helping to accomplish tasks around the community. In keeping with his faith, Loew removed the shem prior to the Sabbath, the day of the week that Judaism reserves for rest, reflection, and worship. This indicated that the golem was viewed as a living creature, at least to some extent.

Different versions of the story vary on how the golem came into conflict with the community. Some versions said that it began developing human emotions and fell in love with a resident. Unable to come to terms with the rejection that followed, the golem began rampaging. In others, it grew less obedient with each use, but Loew's pride prevented him from seeing any problems with his creation until disaster struck. Still other versions depict the golem as consistently obedient but carrying out given orders in literal fashion, leading to inconvenience and danger. This version also served as a warning: the golem's master felt he was in a position of power and did not choose his words carefully.

While the versions vary, in most of them Loew is eventually required to disable the golem. In most interpretations, this involves getting near the rampaging creature to remove its shem. Some versions specify that Loew rewrote the inscription on the shem, changing it from emet—Hebrew for "truth"—to met, which means "death." The golem's lifeless form was then stored away in case it was needed sometime in the future.

Overview

The term golem appeared in the Biblical Psalms. There, it referred to a formless mass of material. It also appeared in Hebrew writings from the Middle Ages. The golem myth has been compared to the Bible's creation of man. Adam was initially created from inanimate materials. While Adam was intelligent and capable of speech, his intellect was small compared to God's knowledge. As with the golem, Adam and Eve became disobedient, and they were cast out of the community afterward.

Over time, the golem had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring many creatures across various science fiction, fantasy, and horror media. The golem was first depicted on film in the early twentieth century by filmmaker Paul Wegener. He created The Golem, The Golem and the Dancing Girl, and The Golem: How He Came into the World between 1915 and 1920.

One of the most famous works of fiction to emulate the golem legend is Frankenstein. Mary Shelley published the novel Frankenstein in 1818. Since then, Frankenstein's creation became one of the most iconic monsters in fiction. As with the golem creation story, Dr. Frankenstein attempts to grant life to nonliving material, assembling a humanoid creature. The story of Frankenstein has itself been the subject of numerous retellings, most famously on film. Like its golem inspiration, the exact reason for conflict between the creature and its creator differ depending on the version, but most highlight the doctor's ambition and the creature's isolation from society.

Golems were one of many types of creatures present in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, which was extremely influential on modern fantasy works. Numerous video, tabletop, and role-playing fantasy games used them as slow-moving but powerful characters. They could frequently be found serving—typically villainous—masters and presenting an obstacle for protagonists to defeat.

Beginning in the twentieth century, the golem story inspired a variety of science fiction stories involving computers and robots. These included the works of author Isaac Asimov, who established the laws of robotics to prevent the rampages that characterize golem stories. Despite that, human corruption, greed, and prejudice often disrupted the relationship between humans and robots. The Terminator movie franchise also includes golem elements.

In Prague and the Czech Republic as a whole, the golem is a prominent part of the local culture. Restaurants, hotels, and other businesses bear the golem name and use golem-themed artwork and mascots. A stage play about the golem myth has been popular in the nation for years. Golem enthusiasts in the region have said that its popularity tends to grow in times of crisis. It provides a sort of defender against problems that threaten the community, mirroring its mythical role as a protector. However, Jewish leaders have expressed frustration that people with little to no understanding of the golem's significance have used this sacred figure for various purposes.

Bibliography

Baer, Elizabeth R. The Golem Redux: From Prague to Post-Holocaust Fiction. Wayne State UP, 2012.

Bilefsky, Dan. "Hard Times Give New Life to Prague's Golem." New York Times, 10 May 2009, www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/world/europe/11golem.html. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.

"Czech Legends." My Czech Republic, www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/history/prague‗legends.html. Accessed 10 Sept. 2017.

Idel, Moshe. Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial Anthropoid. State U of New York P, 1990.

Nechvatal, Joseph. "From a 16th-Century Book to a Robot-Assisted Performance, Artists Explore the Legend of the Golem." Hyperallergic, 05 May 2017, hyperallergic.com/377424/from-a-16th-century-book-to-a-robot-assisted-performance-artists-explore-the-legend-of-the-golem/. Accessed 10 Sept. 2017.

Oreck, Alden. "Modern Jewish History: The Golem." Jewish Virtual Library, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-golem. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.

Prose, Francine. "How Frankenstein's Monster Became Human." New Republic, 16 June 2016, newrepublic.com/article/134271/frankensteins-monster-became-human. Accessed 10 Sept. 2017.

Williams, Imogen. "Why Golems Are Precious." Guardian, 27 Aug. 2010, www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2010/aug/27/golems-precious. Accessed 12 Sept. 2017.