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Golem
GolemAccording to Jewish legend, a golem was a human-shaped object brought to life by a magic word. Usually the golem functioned like a robot and could perform simple tasks. However, in some tales, the golem became a violent monster that could not be controlled, even by its creator. Although the idea of a golem goes back to biblical times, most legends about the creature appeared during the Middle Ages. Typically, the golem came to life when a special word such as truth or one of the names of God was written on a piece of paper and placed on the golem's forehead or in its mouth. At any point, the creator of the golem might end its life by removing the paper with the sacred word. In a famous story from the 1500s, Rabbi Judah Low ben Bezulel of Prague created a golem from clay. In another legend, set in Poland, a golem made by Rabbi Elijah of Chelm became so powerful and dangerous that the rabbi hurriedly changed it back into a lifeless heap. See also Semitic Mythology. |
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"Golem." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Golem." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900217.html "Golem." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900217.html |
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golem
golem [Heb.,=an undeveloped lump], in medieval Jewish legend, an automatonlike servant made of clay and given life by means of a charm, or shem [Heb.,=name, or the name of God]. Golems were attributed in Jewish legend to several rabbis in different European countries. The most famous legend centered around Rabbi Löw, of 16th-century Prague. After molding the golem and endowing it with life, Rabbi Löw was forced to destroy the clay creature after it ran amok.
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"golem." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "golem." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-golem.html "golem." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-golem.html |
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Golem
Golem (Heb., ‘shapeless matter’). An embryo (Psalms 139. 16) or stupid person (Avot 5. 9), and eventually a creature brought into being artificially through the use of God's name. At the outset, they are created as useful servants, but they use their great strength malignantly and get completely out of control.
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JOHN BOWKER. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Golem.html JOHN BOWKER. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Golem.html |
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Golem
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MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-Golem.html MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Golem." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-Golem.html |
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golem
golem in Jewish legend, a clay figure brought to life by magic; an automaton or robot. The word is recorded from the late 19th century, and comes via Yiddish from Hebrew gōlem ‘shapeless mass’.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "golem." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "golem." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-golem.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "golem." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-golem.html |
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golem
golem
•amalgam • Targum • begum
•Brigham • lingam • ogham • sorghum
•Nahum • Belgium • dodgem
•Brummagem • stratagem • Rackham
•Malcolm • Ascham • Beckham
•welcome • vade mecum • stickum
•dinkum • modicum • hypericum
•capsicum • viaticum • practicum
•Occam
•hokum, locum, oakum
•bunkum
•alum, Calum, mallam, vallum
•Pablum
•Haarlem, Harlem, Malayalam, slalom
•antebellum, cerebellum, elm, helm, overwhelm, pelham, realm, underwhelm, vellum
•emblem • bedlam • peplum
•exemplum • wychelm • Kenelm
•Salem • velum
•aspergillum, chillum, film, vexillum
•Whitlam • clingfilm • telefilm
•microfilm
•asylum, hilum, phylum, whilom
•column, olm, solemn
•problem • golem • hoodlum • Ulm
•incunabulum, pabulum
•coagulum • pendulum • speculum
•curriculum • cimbalom • paspalum
•Absalom • Jerusalem • tantalum
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Cite this article
"golem." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "golem." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-golem.html "golem." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-golem.html |
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