The Golem Legend: Genesis, Interpretation, Literature Revelations

Authors:

Pages: 267-279
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/QYOQ2142

Abstract:

The text follows the genesis and evolution of a Jewish legend, published in Ancient Bohemian Legends by Alois Jirásek. The legend is about the creation of Golem. Starting as a part of the Biblical story of creation, this idea quickly passes into the legendary sector of Talmudic texts, where the creation of Golem is presented as an initiatory ritual. In the later variations of the legend, Golem has already acquired practical functions. He turns into a famulus, who performs the orders of his creator. After the transformation of Golem into an assistant the motif of the rebellion against his own creator has been attached to the legend. With all the new components of the story, the legend slowly begins to enter literature.

Keywords:

Golem, creation, Talmudic legend, initiatory ritual, magical assistant, rebellion against creator

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