Ever heard of the Golem, the half superhero, half monster of Jewish legend? This creature, manifested from clay, has been serving Jewish needs, performing mundane tasks, and even defending entire Jewish communities for centuries. However, the Golem’s essence more importantly mirrors Jewish anxieties and desires, and serves as a profound commentary on power. As such, stories of the Golem morph with time, reflecting society's shifting narratives, and reminding us of the enduring lessons from ancient myths.
Big Ideas
- A Golem is an unformed and soulless creature whose purpose is to cater to his creator’s every whim from running errands to destroying enemies.
- Among many Golems in Jewish history is the Golem of Prague, created by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (The Maharal) in order to protect the Jewish community from attacks.
- Jews have an uneasy relationship with power and the legend of the Golem of Prague serves to teach about the consequences of unchecked power.
Essential Questions
- What are the benefits and potential consequences of holding power?
- What are the lessons we can take away from the myths, legends and fairy tales present in our culture?
- Why do Jews have such an uneasy relationship with power and how will we deal with and relate to power now that the modern state of Israel exists?
