Golems

Golems are beings from Jewish folklore described as animated beings formed from inanimate matter, usually clay or mud (though sometimes other materials) and brought to life through magical means. They lack independent human souls in traditional accounts and function as servants or protectors under human control.

The term golem, from Hebrew meaning “shapeless mass” or “unfinished substance,” is used broadly by scholars to refer to these animated beings. The most famous golem narrative centers on Prague, where Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel is said to have created a golem to defend the Prague Jewish community from persecutions. Later writers and popular culture expanded the golem’s stories, turning it into a symbol of unseen power, responsibility, and the dangers of artificial life.

In classic legends, a golem is brought to life by sacred or magical means, often by placing a slip of parchment with a holy name or inscription inside its mouth or by inscribing a special word on its forehead; activation is followed by obedience. Deactivation is achieved by the removal or alteration of the runes or the sacred inscription, sometimes by erasing the first letter of the word “emet” (truth), which was one traditional safeguard in some tales.

Golems appear in later folklore, literature, theater, and film, sometimes as protective beings who can become dangerous if misused or if the ritual outlets fail. They have influenced modern fantasy, science fiction, and discussions about artificial life, autonomy, and ethics.