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Golem: Difference between revisions
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The golem of the early legends, though unable to speak, was a perfect servant that fulfilled all his master’s orders. Starting in the sixteenth century, he was characterized as the protector of persecuted Jews. It was not until the seventeenth century that the Frankenstein-like golem—who in some versions of the tale grew larger in size each day—was portrayed as a physical threat. | The golem of the early legends, though unable to speak, was a perfect servant that fulfilled all his master’s orders. Starting in the sixteenth century, he was characterized as the protector of persecuted Jews. It was not until the seventeenth century that the Frankenstein-like golem—who in some versions of the tale grew larger in size each day—was portrayed as a physical threat. | ||
In some earlier versions of the legend, the golem is seen as dangerous not because of his potential for violence but because he poses the threat of idolatry. For example, in one thirteenth-century legend the golem supposedly created by Jeremiah and Ben Sira, this time endowed with the faculty of speech, warns the two men that their followers may begin to worship them for their seemingly extraordinary powers in bringing the clay man to life. | In some earlier versions of the legend, the golem is seen as dangerous not because of his potential for violence but because he poses the threat of [[idolatry]]. For example, in one thirteenth-century legend the golem supposedly created by Jeremiah and Ben Sira, this time endowed with the faculty of speech, warns the two men that their followers may begin to worship them for their seemingly extraordinary powers in bringing the clay man to life. | ||
In one variation of this story, the golem himself removes a letter from the words inscribed on his forehead—''YHWH Elohim Emeth'', or “God is truth”—thereby changing ''truth'' to the word ''dead'' (meth). The resulting blasphemy, “God is dead,” is a clear message to the golem’s creators. As in most of the legends, man triumphs over golem; Jeremiah heeds the warning and destroys his creation. | In one variation of this story, the golem himself removes a letter from the words inscribed on his forehead—''YHWH Elohim Emeth'', or “God is truth”—thereby changing ''truth'' to the word ''dead'' (meth). The resulting blasphemy, “God is dead,” is a clear message to the golem’s creators. As in most of the legends, man triumphs over golem; Jeremiah heeds the warning and destroys his creation. | ||