Golem: The Mysterious Clay Monster of Jewish Lore | Monstrum

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  • čas přidán 16. 07. 2019
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    Made from clay and animated by the sacred word of G-d, the golem of Jewish origin has evolved from a 6th-century meditation of creation, to a source of labor, and finally, an avenging symbol of redemption. The golem many people recognize today wasn’t invented until the 19th century--but how did it become so influential?
    In this episode, Dr. Zarka details how the golem represents the history of the Jewish people, and shows how the creature challenges the idea of what it means to be a monster. #golem #golemofprague #Monstrum
    Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
    Director: David Schulte
    Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
    Producer: Stephanie Noone
    Illustrator: Samuel Allen
    Editor: Derek Borsheim
    Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
    Follow us on Instagram:
    / monstrumpbs
    -----------
    BIBLIOGRAPHY:
    A Treasury of Jewish Folklore: Stories, Traditions, Legends, Humor, Wisdom and Folk Songs of The Jewish People. Ed. Nathan Ausubel, Crown Publishers, 1948.
    Bing, Jon. “The Riddle of the Robots.” The Art of Discovery: Encounters in Literature and Science, Eds. Margareth Hagen, Randi Koppen, and Margery Vibe Skagen, Aarbus University Press, 2006, 153-170.
    Bolch, Chayim. The Golem: Legends of the Ghetto of Prague, Trans. Harry Schneiderman 1925.
    Gelbin, Cathy S. The Golem Returns: From German Romantic Literature to Global Jewish Culture, 1808-2008, The University of Michigan Press, 2011.
    Goldsmith, Arnold L. The Golem Remembered, 1909-1980, Wayne State University Press, 1981.
    Kaplan, Matt. “The Created-The Golem, Frankenstein, Hal 9000, Terminator.” The Science of Monsters: The Origins of the Creatures We Love to Fear, Scribner, 2013, pp. 164-181.
    Koven, Mikel J. “‘Have I Got a Monster for You!”: Some Thoughts on the Golem, ‘The X-Files’ and the Jewish Horror Movie.” Folklore, Vol. 111, No. 2, 200, pp. 217-230.
    Meyrink, Gustav. The Golem, Trans. Madge Pemberton, First Mudra Edition, 1972.
    Pokemon.com, “Golett #622.” Pokemon, 2019.
    --. “Golurk #623.” Pokemon, 2019.
    Scholem, Gershom. Origins of the Kabbalah, Ed. R.J. Zwi Werblowsky, Trans. Allan Arkush, The Jewish Publication Society: Princeton University Press, 1987.
    Rosenberg, Yudl. The Golem and the Wondrous Deeds of the Maharal of Prague, Ed. And Trans. Curt Leviant, Yale University Press, 2008.
    Yiddish Folktales, Ed. Beatrice Silverman Weinreich, Trans. Leonard Wolf, Pantheon Books, 1988.

Komentáře • 1,5K

  • @styrax7280
    @styrax7280 Před 5 lety +1368

    I like your visual design of the golem, both the lack of neck and the clothes

    • @The__Creeper
      @The__Creeper Před 5 lety +90

      Didn't you know? Clothes makes you weak. The less clothes you wear, the stronger you are. That's why Batman is weak and the Creeper is powerful.

    • @The__Creeper
      @The__Creeper Před 5 lety +7

      @bryan diaz varela Flash-eeeeeeer.

    • @COZMICTOM
      @COZMICTOM Před 5 lety +3

      NOTHING CLEAN TO WEAR

    • @DragonSkylander30
      @DragonSkylander30 Před 4 lety +12

      @@philc2889 golem not golum

    • @babajideodusanya8843
      @babajideodusanya8843 Před 4 lety +1

      @@COZMICTOM Your clothes...
      Give them to me.... NOW!!!

  • @C455C0R3
    @C455C0R3 Před 5 lety +1678

    But they do require a lot of iron and often abandon you to protect some random village from hostile mobs

    • @karelkrajicek6607
      @karelkrajicek6607 Před 5 lety +143

      its not random village, its a Jewish village where you can buy everything for emeralds.

    • @thesenate4815
      @thesenate4815 Před 5 lety +62

      @@karelkrajicek6607 is there another parallel with the fact that the villager towers have breweries?

    • @arizonaranger4454
      @arizonaranger4454 Před 4 lety +15

      Bruh you gotta tie them up with leads that's what I do

    • @blxccshinra9456
      @blxccshinra9456 Před 4 lety +15

      C0d3nam3 An0nym0u5 LoL 😂 are u talking about Minecraft

    • @arizonaranger4454
      @arizonaranger4454 Před 4 lety +21

      @@blxccshinra9456 to be fair it's like 90% of this comment section though it is sad how this cultural myth has been entirely consumed by a video game however good that game is.

  • @lethallizard963
    @lethallizard963 Před 5 lety +1994

    Everything changed when the fire Rabbi attacked...

  • @TransSappho
    @TransSappho Před 4 lety +177

    Honestly my favorite version of the golem story and the one my dad told me growing up was that the golem was brought to life by writing “emet” meaning “truth” on his forehead, and was ultimately destroyed by erasing the first letter of the word to spell “met” meaning dead

    • @hungjury7482
      @hungjury7482 Před 4 lety +13

      From אמת -> מת

    • @pakde8002
      @pakde8002 Před 3 lety +12

      That's the version I read many years ago but couldn't remember it until you mentioned it. I did remember the spell had an off switch by erasing all or part of the mantra.

    • @Nisyoh
      @Nisyoh Před rokem +1

      I Saw something that said that

    • @vermilionpill6916
      @vermilionpill6916 Před 8 měsíci

      That's the real story. Gnosticism uses that story to mark a future period of the complete separation from God, to point where the created are now creators and no longer need God.

  • @ahmadfauzan5141
    @ahmadfauzan5141 Před 5 lety +2315

    Golem is important, it gives ton of exp for you to level up

    • @nicolaiveliki1409
      @nicolaiveliki1409 Před 5 lety +62

      30k for iron, 40k for adamantium

    • @AMcGrath82
      @AMcGrath82 Před 5 lety +22

      Goes way before D&D, dude.

    • @nicolaiveliki1409
      @nicolaiveliki1409 Před 5 lety +21

      @@AMcGrath82 I'm not aware of any pre-dnd individual-based rpgs. What exactly do you mean?

    • @AMcGrath82
      @AMcGrath82 Před 5 lety +13

      @@nicolaiveliki1409 I mean the concept itself -- the Golem -- predates D&D. It's a legend going back literally thousands of years.

    • @nicolaiveliki1409
      @nicolaiveliki1409 Před 5 lety +60

      @@AMcGrath82 I watched the video

  • @TheSeriousPain
    @TheSeriousPain Před 5 lety +323

    I don't know why it didn't make it to the video but after writing "emet" (truth) to animate the Golem they could stop it by erasing the first letter alef to make the word "met" (dead).

    • @TheSaneHatter
      @TheSaneHatter Před 5 lety +15

      That was used in the "X-Files" episode where a golem appeared.

    • @harlowitter3060
      @harlowitter3060 Před 4 lety +5

      Yeah, I think I read about that in a book on mythic creatures that I have.

    • @mrm2542
      @mrm2542 Před 4 lety +44

      That's a story that's not from the golem. That's an ancient Jewish story from Persia, where a rabbi reanimated a dead boy to find out who murdered him, by writing אמת on his forehead, but he couldn't speak, he could only point and nod yes or no when asked questions, and he could only tell the truth, because it was why he was alive. Then, when they found the culprit, the rabbi erased the aleph, making the kid not alive again, because although (according to the story) the power to revive the dead exists, it shouldn't be used and this was apparently only a one time thing

    • @elijahblechman8633
      @elijahblechman8633 Před 3 lety +1

      @MOSAMMET AFRA it's a religious fairy tail, meaning no, like Beowulf it's not meant to be taken as fact

    • @bigtimepimpin666
      @bigtimepimpin666 Před 3 lety

      @@TheSaneHatter the Xfiles made an episode on the Golem?? I'm there dude...

  • @yoda908
    @yoda908 Před 4 lety +199

    I remember asking my Rabbi when i was in Sunday school class one time about how, where and why the Golems were created. The answer I remember him telling me was it was a fabricated story that gave the Jewish community hope while at the same time the oppressor felt afraid of what they do not understand. And legends are often represented as such and it symbolizes a history to events we need to learn from so we can improve as community of all cultures of faith. Wherever your from.

    • @schrire39
      @schrire39 Před 2 lety +6

      A rabbi at Sunday school?

    • @evee3164
      @evee3164 Před 2 lety +13

      @@schrire39 it’s also the same for Muslims. It’s just a religious school thing that occurs on Sundays. It’s not like Sunday is only for the Christians lol

    • @painvillegaming4119
      @painvillegaming4119 Před 2 lety +2

      @@evee3164 i mean Sunday in all 3 is a sacred day if am not mistaking

    • @spartanx9293
      @spartanx9293 Před rokem +4

      @@painvillegaming4119 incorrect for Muslims it's Friday and for Jews it's Saturday

    • @Nisyoh
      @Nisyoh Před rokem +1

      Orthodox?

  • @mucusdrizzle9269
    @mucusdrizzle9269 Před 5 lety +666

    Anybody gonna point out that those Rabbi's that created the golem of Prague were basically water, fire and air benders?

    • @ChaplainBobWalkerBTh
      @ChaplainBobWalkerBTh Před 4 lety +6

      Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

    • @robinpotter963
      @robinpotter963 Před 4 lety +15

      @@ChaplainBobWalkerBTh huh?

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety +4

      "Air bender" - is this an M Night Shmamlaaynanadingdong reference?

    • @GrumpyLoco6
      @GrumpyLoco6 Před 4 lety +18

      @@e.b.6144 That's some anti-Semitic bullshit right there.

    • @jasonmcgrath205
      @jasonmcgrath205 Před 4 lety +2

      @@GrumpyLoco6 no that's truth

  • @lprocks555
    @lprocks555 Před 5 lety +367

    It's so interesting to see the influence of the golem legends in comic books and characters like Superman and Captain America, both created by Jewish Americans.

    • @kynaston1474
      @kynaston1474 Před 4 lety +12

      It's no accident, this is a template for how to trick someone into fighting your enemies for you. This is honestly vile.

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety +3

      Or that Superman's name comes from a mistranslation of Nietzsche's Übermensch.

    • @skeksilthechamberlain1479
      @skeksilthechamberlain1479 Před 4 lety +54

      Adam Bodford go back to the sewer you crawled out of.

    • @justicebeske5704
      @justicebeske5704 Před 3 lety +7

      I think superman also had some influence from moses as well.

    • @bryannkam
      @bryannkam Před 2 lety +6

      While one could make the argument that characters like Superman and Cap inspired by the Golem. Probably the superhero that serves as the best and near perfect analogue of the Golem legends would be one Benjamin Jacob Grimm AKA The Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing of the Fantastic Four. Whom Marvel has confirmed in recent years is in fact of the Jewish faith.

  • @JRG_REDD
    @JRG_REDD Před 5 lety +233

    It amazes me how you put all of this information and visual imagines in such a small video. While I'm watching it feels like I'm watching an hour long documentary. But then out of no where it ends. Love the videos can't wait for the next one😁❤✌

  • @Ruby321123
    @Ruby321123 Před 4 lety +121

    I read a version once where in the final days of WWII, the Golem was re-awoken as a last-ditch attempt to chase the Nazis out of Prague, which it did, and was then put back to sleep in an attic somewhere in the city, leaving the Soviets scratching their heads when they rolled in only to find that the Nazis had already fled.

    • @legopattonfilms
      @legopattonfilms Před 3 lety +22

      That sounds like a fun idea for a WW2 Fantasy story. Golem vs Nazis, that would be a great title for it. what do you think?

    • @sova1235
      @sova1235 Před 3 lety +6

      @@legopattonfilms that sounds like a title of some kind of anime

    • @chanterelle483
      @chanterelle483 Před 2 lety +8

      It's true that Soviets didn't find any Nazis in Prague, but it was because of Czech freedom fighters. Otherwise, yes, in the end of the Prague Golem story, the Golem's body is hidden in the attic of Old New Synagogue and it's supposedly there "to this day" - which we know is not true, because the story was so popular that famous Jewish journalist, Egon Kisch, went there to look for Golem in 1920 and found nothing. But I think many people still kinda believe that Golem is somewhere in Prague. It's very popular legend in Czechia.

    • @painvillegaming4119
      @painvillegaming4119 Před 2 lety +1

      @@chanterelle483 in the 1920 wait but world war 2 end it in 1945

    • @StrategicBomberEnjoyer
      @StrategicBomberEnjoyer Před rokem +2

      Sounds like a cool concept for a fantasy, alt history movie/book/comic
      Golems awaken around the world trying to stop the regime and protect the jewish people

  • @ClarenceSampang
    @ClarenceSampang Před 4 lety +839

    > Minecraft Villagers nose
    > Iron Golem protects their villages
    Ummm...Mojang?

    • @italiansoldierfromww2460
      @italiansoldierfromww2460 Před 4 lety +16

      Lmao 😂

    • @dylaneverett4586
      @dylaneverett4586 Před 4 lety +128

      That and the fact that they have a thing for money... Jewish stereotypes much?

    • @bingbonghafu
      @bingbonghafu Před 4 lety +58

      And the villagers are not actually the humans in Minecraft...

    • @milkymilk2884
      @milkymilk2884 Před 4 lety +100

      notch has done enough dodgy stuff to make me think maybe the villager thing sadly wasn’t an accident.

    • @weebcrusader7762
      @weebcrusader7762 Před 4 lety +22

      *HMM*

  • @andrewb.8184
    @andrewb.8184 Před 5 lety +732

    Lindsay Ellis did a really interesting video on Captain America that mentioned how he started out as a quasi Golem since he was created in part by Jewish authors to encourage the US to fight in WW2

    • @TomorrowWeLive
      @TomorrowWeLive Před 5 lety +47

      @@ponderoustomes9005 *into destroying Europe and their own country

    • @AmorphisBob
      @AmorphisBob Před 5 lety +33

      @@TomorrowWeLive you seem to have misspelled saving

    • @ponderoustomes9005
      @ponderoustomes9005 Před 5 lety +21

      @@TomorrowWeLive How does one become an super powerby destroying oneself at the same time? The processes are contradictory.

    • @davidabest7195
      @davidabest7195 Před 5 lety +20

      @@ponderoustomes9005 - superpower shortterm, destruction longterm. Stop being low iq

    • @hatonhatsoff
      @hatonhatsoff Před 5 lety +21

      @@davidabest7195 but America is still a superpower so how is he low iq

  • @Shiyounin
    @Shiyounin Před 5 lety +384

    *watches video, buys a million LEGOs laughing evilly

  • @andyb1653
    @andyb1653 Před 5 lety +365

    Would Frankenstein's Monster be considered a "flesh golem"?

    • @dubuyajay9964
      @dubuyajay9964 Před 5 lety +35

      That's what a flesh golem is in D&D.

    • @adolfgaming1761
      @adolfgaming1761 Před 4 lety +23

      Woah necromancy

    • @ARandomCogboi
      @ARandomCogboi Před 4 lety +19

      Andy B Frankenstein’s monster could talk tho...

    • @sethleoric2598
      @sethleoric2598 Před 4 lety +1

      Yooo minecraft should add a golem updatd

    • @STho205
      @STho205 Před 4 lety +8

      201 years ago she published the first edition titled:
      "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus"
      It is a Prometheun story from much older Greek myth. The Golem is too, especially as the Hebrew biblical text, as the Septuagint, was recorded in classical Greek.

  • @zzuiderzee9309
    @zzuiderzee9309 Před 5 lety +413

    my sediments, exactly.

  • @inanator
    @inanator Před 5 lety +169

    The story of the Golem is super important to me and I'm glad you covered it. As someone who is Jewish and avidly loves monsters it's cool that we have our own! My interpretation is that the Golem is basically the first Frankenstein's Monster. Best part is, on a family roots trip in East Europe, I got to visit Rabbi Loew's grave (which is covered in pebbles of course) as well as the very synagogue they say the Golem is still kept in to this day!
    Props on the great video keep up the good work!!!

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 5 lety +26

      That sounds incredible! Thanks for watching.

    • @salmongrundyII
      @salmongrundyII Před 5 lety +3

      @@chaist94 It's a devourer without compunction, better check that Synagogue your savior has escaped.

    • @robinpotter963
      @robinpotter963 Před 5 lety +5

      The first time I read about a Golem, the Rabbi forgot to put it to sleep on Friday, didn't perform the proper ritual. The Golem ran amuck and was dangerous. I don't remember where I read it, years before the internet. Just a snippet somewhere.

    • @ryderwilson7955
      @ryderwilson7955 Před 4 lety +4

      @@ryhanzfx1641 well Christians did incorporate all those stories to their religion so... what is your point?
      all religions are funny and stupid

    • @LangThoughts
      @LangThoughts Před 4 lety +3

      We also have the Dybbuk, possession by a dead soul, and the Estrie, a Vampiric succubus. The same text that references the Estrie also mentions a creature called a Mare, which seems to be a werecat succubus, and seems to put Mares in the same category as the Estrie, calling one an Estrie, though the original text might be read as saying that Mare is an alternative name for an Estrie, who were also werecats.

  • @johannajohanna6015
    @johannajohanna6015 Před 5 lety +61

    I like how you dive right into the content. Thanks for not making us wait for the good stuff.

  • @shan3622
    @shan3622 Před 4 lety +459

    The only golem I’m familiar with is the *“Iron golem”*

  • @TheCanonApologist
    @TheCanonApologist Před 4 lety +114

    As a Jew and Mythology fan myself, I adore your works. This story especially.
    Thank you! ❤

  • @LuinTathren
    @LuinTathren Před 5 lety +215

    I'm so glad you have this channel. I enjoy academic analysis of the supernatural. Thanks for all your hard work!

  • @McSmacks
    @McSmacks Před 5 lety +330

    OMG I love Lord Socrates Fancypants!
    My wife and I also gave our pets fancy names:
    Dr. Edgar G. Snugglepants MD
    Sir Barnabas Locke, Lord of Fuzzington
    Princess Buttercup von Fufferbottom III

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 5 lety +34

      This is goals.

    • @The__Creeper
      @The__Creeper Před 5 lety +4

      But is he named Socrates because he's a bird and still smarter than the real Socrates?

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 5 lety +15

      @@The__Creeper No. Just because he looks distinguished. But pigeons are actually highly intelligent, including my Socrates.

    • @Sunshine-zm1fx
      @Sunshine-zm1fx Před 5 lety +8

      Pets I have had:
      Samson Tiberius Petme
      Sir Tanoshi Pupperdew
      Dexter Sunshine Darling
      Sparkalotta Bubbeleh

    • @The__Creeper
      @The__Creeper Před 5 lety

      @@pbsstoried But why name him after one of history's biggest morons? Shouldn't you have named him after someone at least slightly more intelligent than Socrates, like Forrest Gump?
      The point wasn't that your bird was stupid, the point was that your bird is more intelligent than Socrates and calling him that is insulting. It would be like naming him Captain Columbus Von Poopy Head.

  • @Hanmerhack
    @Hanmerhack Před 5 lety +58

    My favorite Golems are the ones from Sir Terry Pratchett's discworld series.

    • @akechijubeimitsuhide
      @akechijubeimitsuhide Před 5 lety +5

      Because he keeps to the lore as much as possible! Also, Dorfl is awesome.

  • @nivekian
    @nivekian Před 5 lety +44

    Frosty the Snowman = Snow Golem

  • @ByrdieFae
    @ByrdieFae Před 5 lety +69

    I first encountered the story of the Golem of Prague in an episode of Gargoyles years ago. Very interesting.

    • @angelc286
      @angelc286 Před 5 lety +3

      That episode was the first thing I thought of when saw this 👍

    • @windsweeper8002
      @windsweeper8002 Před 5 lety

      Same here. Great series.

    • @strangeyoungman
      @strangeyoungman Před 4 lety

      Whoo! I knew I wasn't the only one!
      "What if... He doesn't like me?"

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety

      Sad that people are introduced to these things via braindead cartoons.

  • @darkrobin
    @darkrobin Před 5 lety +41

    Before a couple years ago o had no idea about the history of the Golem, just that it pops up in games movies ect. This was very interesting to see this creatures roots thank you and keep up the good work!

  • @AceLM92
    @AceLM92 Před 4 lety +44

    If I remember correctly the Golem also partly inspired the creation of the Thing from the Fantastic Four. Thanks Jack Kirby

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety +7

      He does look a bit like a Golem.

    • @kitjohnson2767
      @kitjohnson2767 Před 4 lety +6

      Hm, and the Thing was Jewish.

    • @OneTraveller
      @OneTraveller Před 4 lety +11

      I was looking for this comment. Both Jack Kirby (Jacob Kurtzburg) and Stan Lee (Stanley Leiber) were Jewish.
      The Thing's original appearance was even more golem-like, lumpy and looking like he was made out of mud. Also, the other members of the Fantastic Four represent the other three classical elements, just like the three rabbis. Mr. Fantastic is fluid like water. The Invisible Woman is air. And the Human Torch is fire, of course.

    • @Tom-dy6oh
      @Tom-dy6oh Před 10 měsíci

      @@kitjohnson2767 what is a Jewish person

  • @jacobv3396
    @jacobv3396 Před 5 lety +29

    "He's old... old as dirt" ... *groan* 😂

  • @stopstealingmyideaz
    @stopstealingmyideaz Před 5 lety +3

    I'm so glad that this channel exists! There's so much interesting information packed into a relatively short video.

  • @FreakyGremlinDK
    @FreakyGremlinDK Před 4 lety +11

    Came here from "Its okay to be smart". As a huge fan of myth, legends and fantasy i have to subscribe!

  • @cronquist09
    @cronquist09 Před 5 lety +2

    This is going to be one of my favorite channels. I used to check out all the books on monsters and myths from my library as a kid. Thanks for keeping that fascination going.

  • @soliscrown1272
    @soliscrown1272 Před 5 lety +2

    Where has this channel been all my life? Thanks so much for putting a bibliography in the description!

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 5 lety

      We’re here now! Thanks for the support.

  • @TrekkieBrie
    @TrekkieBrie Před 5 lety +9

    Your description of the golem being created gave me flash back to a really rough D&D session lol.

  • @bryankelly335
    @bryankelly335 Před 5 lety +31

    Another awesome video for the Bestiary ..
    I knew Golems originated from Jewish Stories but this has shown me when/why they were ..
    Thanks as always ..
    Appreciate yah ..!

  • @henrimourant9855
    @henrimourant9855 Před 5 lety +1

    I just found this channel and wow, the academic study of monsters is really interesting. I've already subscribed.

  • @picpac2348
    @picpac2348 Před 5 lety +3

    I live in Prague and I just wanted to add that the local legend is quite popular and beloved. It is well known among all people not just the jewish. And the synagogue tour is pretty nice and I recommend it to anyone visiting Prague.

  • @josiahsanchez6612
    @josiahsanchez6612 Před 5 lety +5

    Absolutely insightful video, I'm so happy to see this type of content. I cannot wait to see what you guys post next.

  • @sxeptomaniac
    @sxeptomaniac Před 5 lety +12

    Loving your channel. I've always enjoyed mythology, and these are fun topics.
    My topic suggestion is the weird Southeast Asian myth of the witch that detaches her head at night to feed on blood, usually from pregnant women or newborn babies. It's got a ton of names, but penanggalan and kasu are a couple. It's got elements of vampirism, witches, preying on children, and the added touch of body horror, of a flying head dangling entrails.
    The myth seems to really travel, based on many cultures that have adapted it, so it seems like a good topic for a really freaky episode.

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 5 lety +8

      I am well aware of this creepy lady and will definitely be doing an episode on her in the future.

    • @sxeptomaniac
      @sxeptomaniac Před 5 lety +3

      @@pbsstoried Fantastic. My wife and in-laws are southeast Asian, and love a good scary story, so I think they would enjoy the episode. I've heard about this one from them a few times.

  • @alexanderwagner4587
    @alexanderwagner4587 Před 5 lety +563

    So, jews were accused of holding vampiric rituals, and their response was to create a Frankenstein? Maybe not the best choice to defend persecution lol

    • @dannyarcher438
      @dannyarcher438 Před 5 lety +32

      Jews didn't really create a Golem though... it was just like the blood rituals a fairy tale

    • @InitialPC
      @InitialPC Před 5 lety +20

      @@dannyarcher438 Actually, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the Golem of Prague was an actual entity, for starters the Golem itself has been found and has been traced back to the persecution of the Jews, though its not alive (anymore) the Golem shows signs that it is in fact capable of movement even though its made out of clay, scientists have been studying it ever since it was found in WWII.

    • @foalscompass4739
      @foalscompass4739 Před 5 lety +18

      Right 😂

    • @idalmkqly866
      @idalmkqly866 Před 5 lety +12

      vampiric rituals?

    • @voievodulvlad3285
      @voievodulvlad3285 Před 5 lety +13

      oy you got a loicense for that coment?

  • @johnjenkins4788
    @johnjenkins4788 Před 3 lety

    I love that I found this channel. I'm literally binge watching episodes!

  • @RastafarianPilgrim
    @RastafarianPilgrim Před 5 lety +13

    the story of the golem waiting to be reawakened reminds me of the myth about the statue of Holger Danske, who is said to arise when the kingdom of Denmark needs him

  • @MeatPops
    @MeatPops Před 5 lety +7

    Really enjoy this channel. I recently read a fun little fiction book called "The Golem and the Jinni" that is fairly true to what you are discussing while taking the story in a new direction. Definitely recommended.

  • @jarule275
    @jarule275 Před 3 lety

    Clip is so well produced. Great job guys.

  • @TerryFedora
    @TerryFedora Před 4 lety +1

    I am adoring Monstrum. I know that this is an older episode but I've been binge watching quite a number of these and rewatching some. Love your content.

  • @spaceslav8954
    @spaceslav8954 Před 5 lety +3

    As someone who lives near Prague in the Czech Republic 🇨🇿, this is a really good video on the topic. I need to check out more of the videos from this channel.

  • @faustovrz
    @faustovrz Před 4 lety +6

    "The Golem" is my favorite poem from Jorge Luis Borges, based on Gustav Meyrink's novel. Good to know earlier references. Thank you.

  • @arteblack13
    @arteblack13 Před 4 lety

    Loved it! This is the first video I've seen on your channel.. and I subscribed. Thanks Doc.

  • @raycope2086
    @raycope2086 Před 4 lety

    Thanks Dr.Emily.
    Another piece of folklore explained beautifully by your good self.
    I hope you never run out of material.
    I wish you rainbows.

  • @saravelasco5807
    @saravelasco5807 Před 4 lety +3

    Vessel of Hallownest are similar, though there are some clear distinctions. I love that you added the robot from Castle in the Sky. When I think Golem, that’s the guy that comes to my mind. Robot creation follows a comparable process after all.

  • @kachnickau
    @kachnickau Před 5 lety +18

    Hi from Prague! :) For me the most iconic part of this story is the inserting of the scroll called shem into Golem mouth (or forhead), which is described in czech wiki site for this tale but diferently put in english version. So I was surprised when option "just write it on him" appeared! :-D

    • @drumroll7552
      @drumroll7552 Před 5 lety +7

      The scroll is not called "Shem", Shem is Hebrew for name.
      God's real name was written on it, that's where the "Shem" comes in.

    • @lordeldauoud142
      @lordeldauoud142 Před 4 lety

      מאור לכיש I " Read " That The " Letters" Of The " SHEM " Had To Be " TRANSPOSE " And When Done " So" It Brought " Down " Energy" From The " Stars " Which Even " Energize " The " Table " It Was " Written " " ON " !!!!!!!🤔😮😳👌🏾🌬

    • @martinstent5339
      @martinstent5339 Před 4 lety +3

      I heard that the shem was the golden amulet hung around the golem's neck and that the true name of god was written inside the shem. You can see it in the pictures of the golem in this video. It's funny that she didn't mention the shem at all. The shem is what gave the golem his power. But you hear a lot of things during your life and only some are true.

  • @cernunnos_lives
    @cernunnos_lives Před 5 lety

    This channel should do longer videos. Never be afraid to fill out with more historic information.

  • @oakstrong1
    @oakstrong1 Před 5 lety +2

    I love Terry Prattchet's Discworld series. His books contain many monsters but the origin of Golem, strong but silent clay servant, was unknown to me until now. (In one of the books golems - more than one, though only few could own one - have an important role.)

  • @Moscato_Moscato
    @Moscato_Moscato Před 5 lety +14

    I’ve always thought of the Golem as being something evil but thanks to this vid I know better!

    • @vinlebo88
      @vinlebo88 Před 5 lety

      You should consider watching "Laputa: Castle in the Sky", it features nice golems

  • @prestonestes1388
    @prestonestes1388 Před 4 lety +8

    For a college gothic literature class I wrote a report comparing the Golem to Frankenstein’s Monster.

    • @ivannav9175
      @ivannav9175 Před 4 lety +2

      I had to compare the Columbine shooters to Frankenstein and his monster

    • @elaineehardt2524
      @elaineehardt2524 Před 3 lety +1

      Please tell me you nailed it & got an 'a'

    • @prestonestes1388
      @prestonestes1388 Před 3 lety

      @@elaineehardt2524 I did. I got bonus for throwing in comparisons to the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea as well.

  • @ardiorbec
    @ardiorbec Před 4 lety

    One of my fav and best vid production in youtube world. Simple but pack of interesting info.

  • @eliblolo9714
    @eliblolo9714 Před 5 lety +2

    I rescued a pigeon a while back (she's with us now). I was so surprised at the end of the video! Awesome Dove!

  • @ArchTazer
    @ArchTazer Před 4 lety +52

    So does this mean, villagers in Minecraft are Jewish?

    • @oscard.lisboa6105
      @oscard.lisboa6105 Před 4 lety +7

      which would explain why now each village has a golem

    • @ryandoherty4291
      @ryandoherty4291 Před 4 lety +34

      Honestly, I been thinking that villagers were made as Jewish stereotypes for a while. Iron golem, big noses, unfair trades. I'm Jewish, so I'm hoping this wasn't the intention, but it seems a little suspicious.

    • @Entity-dn1mc
      @Entity-dn1mc Před 4 lety +9

      Well Zoe, if the Villagers in Minecraft were Jewish that would probably mean that, the Illagers r Arabs. LOL 😆

    • @alexanderkarvos6671
      @alexanderkarvos6671 Před 4 lety +5

      @@Entity-dn1mc not funny dude. seriously it ain't

    • @CreeketsCreek
      @CreeketsCreek Před 4 lety

      Yes.

  • @kirbymarchbarcena
    @kirbymarchbarcena Před 4 lety +4

    SOMEONE: If the Golem can only speak, what do you think it would say?
    GOLLUM: My preciousssss!!!!
    SOMEONE: I'm not talking about you!!!

  • @woolybowly4205
    @woolybowly4205 Před 5 lety

    The outtakes at the end earned a subscriber. Keep it up.

  • @starplatinum9758
    @starplatinum9758 Před 5 lety

    Good job on the video, very thorough. I will subscribe to this channel and check out your other videos. Keep up the good work.

  • @EJ-ci6gp
    @EJ-ci6gp Před 4 lety +4

    I remember hearing about the golem when I was a little kid, I hadn’t thought about it in years!

  • @Kujho
    @Kujho Před 5 lety +7

    That's so cool that Roswell from The Adventure Zone is in here 1:16

    • @ridingwarthogs3244
      @ridingwarthogs3244 Před 4 lety

      194219692009 I was looking for this comment! I just finished relistening to 11th hour yesterday

  • @Junius
    @Junius Před 4 lety

    I'd love our if your vids were longer. They're fascinating. Nice work

  • @Mad_Oph
    @Mad_Oph Před 5 lety +2

    Very nice work, I really enjoyed it. Also, good choice with Biohazard by Ken Alibek, that book is fascinating.

  • @williamgosvener47
    @williamgosvener47 Před 4 lety +7

    Golem legend actually dates much farther back in oral tradition.

  • @derpaknox3672
    @derpaknox3672 Před 4 lety +93

    Sasquatch
    The jersey devil
    Goblins
    Gremlins
    Tommy knockers

    • @xxsideouz8953
      @xxsideouz8953 Před 4 lety +2

      Good recommendations!

    • @Ruby321123
      @Ruby321123 Před 4 lety +1

      Definitely. I just discovered this page, and my next search goal was to find their Sasquatch episode.

    • @truBador2
      @truBador2 Před 4 lety +2

      Anderson Cooper

    • @SunflowerSpotlight
      @SunflowerSpotlight Před 4 lety +1

      Have they discussed brownies? Little elfish fairy things that clean you house at night in return for milk and honey? House elves in Harry Potter were kind of based on them.

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety +1

      @@SunflowerSpotlight You've a very cute, sanitised view of them. Traditional Scottish brownies were quite large and could be a menace, including being a poltergeist type entity.

  • @brookmiller9806
    @brookmiller9806 Před 4 lety +1

    I first read of the Golem of Prague in Patricia Briggs' book, "Silence Fallen." It was fantastic to get this video with the history of the legend.

  • @RogueAce93
    @RogueAce93 Před rokem

    Loved your take on the Golem story, learned a lot from it!! Also, the way you kept saying Gollum instead of Golem is “Precious!”

  • @uniqueunicorn4319
    @uniqueunicorn4319 Před 5 lety +9

    Prague is the capital of Czech republic, which is where I live, so I've heard the the story many many times. And in every single one of the the Golem came to life with the use of the "šém" which is a ball like object that is inserted in it's mouth or a hole in it's forehead. And this is also the only way to get rid of the Golem and the reason why it's now supposedly waiting in the synnagog, because he is missing the object that makes him come to life..... Was that left out for a reason or did you not come across that in your research?

  • @lt.gasmask1920
    @lt.gasmask1920 Před 4 lety +6

    Best of all, they’re usually immune to acid damage. So that fourth level wizard using acid bubble will only heal it.:)

  • @pakde8002
    @pakde8002 Před 3 lety

    Hi, new subscriber. Can't believe I've been in quarantine since March and just now found this channel. Hope you guys are still making videos. Winter's coming.

  • @theghostwitch113
    @theghostwitch113 Před 2 lety

    This is an awesome video, very informative. Thanks friends 💓

  • @xtieburn
    @xtieburn Před 5 lety +3

    In the series The Terror there is a creature called the Tuunbaq. I believe its an original creation by the novelist, but was based on Inuit myths, it would be interesting to hear more about real Inuit mythological critters.

  • @derpaknox3672
    @derpaknox3672 Před 4 lety +35

    Elves
    Pixies
    Fairies
    The grim reaper
    The Loch Ness monster
    Frankenstein
    Vampire

  • @jimpyre5038
    @jimpyre5038 Před 4 lety

    Nice work!!!

  • @braindeadfred1801
    @braindeadfred1801 Před 5 lety

    Stumbled upon your video. Thank you ive always been curious about the golem legend. Subbed and liked

  • @totalchipmunks
    @totalchipmunks Před 2 lety +5

    En espérant que ça pourra nous faire retrouver Lavy Davant...

  • @Veldtian1
    @Veldtian1 Před 4 lety +3

    Terminator 2: Judgement Day was my favorite popularization of the golem trope from outta Hollywood.

  • @sandbox6780
    @sandbox6780 Před 4 lety

    Im not really into legends but this got me interested SO much and you make them really intresting im really glad i stumbled across this channel =3

  • @robbabcock_
    @robbabcock_ Před 4 lety

    Fascinating series, Dr. Zarka! Obviously PBS is pushing it due to Halloween but I'm really loving it!

    • @pbsstoried
      @pbsstoried  Před 4 lety

      It’s always spooky season on this channel!

  • @shquash6028
    @shquash6028 Před 4 lety +10

    Does this technically make Frankenstein’s monster a golem

    • @ihsahnakerfeldt9280
      @ihsahnakerfeldt9280 Před 2 lety

      Not really. Frankenstein's monster is more a result of experimentation and less about religious mythology.

  • @Donteatacowman
    @Donteatacowman Před 3 lety +3

    I would love to see a more explicit connection between golems and the modern legend (myth? creature?) of the robot--not like Amazon warehouse robots but the robots of sci-fi.

  • @raycope2086
    @raycope2086 Před 5 lety

    A very interesting video and pleasantly told which I enjoyed immensely.
    Not least because of such charming a storyteller.
    I wish you rainbows.

  • @wilsonshahzeb2
    @wilsonshahzeb2 Před 4 lety

    I'm so happy I found this channel.

  • @almtre9544
    @almtre9544 Před 5 lety +5

    This Channel is my life

  • @memyopinionsche6610
    @memyopinionsche6610 Před 4 lety +15

    He kept saying my precious my precious.
    Then I thought wait.
    That's gollum from Lord of the rings
    not gollm.

    • @bofurthedwarf
      @bofurthedwarf Před 3 lety

      Well.... I mean, I think you would know if it was Gollum or if it was Gollem. One can’t speak.

  • @RukiKenishiro
    @RukiKenishiro Před 5 lety

    the only critique of this new channel and series is: each episode IS TOO SHORT!!! Please make it longer, i don't mind! Been enjoying it so far and i've watched all of it!

  • @Spunkette87
    @Spunkette87 Před 5 lety

    Very interesting video. I was introduced to Golems when reading The Golem and The Jinni -- which is a fantastic read and I highly recommend.

  • @ShutItKyle
    @ShutItKyle Před 5 lety +10

    Thank you so much for not calling it a “gollum.”

    • @ItsGroundhogDay
      @ItsGroundhogDay Před 5 lety

      Except for when she slipped and pronounced it how she really wants.

    • @bofurthedwarf
      @bofurthedwarf Před 3 lety +1

      Lord of the Rings fan. Me.😐

  • @zarinaa1135
    @zarinaa1135 Před 3 lety +5

    This is a myth, so I'm sure there's different versions, but I'd always learned that the rabbis who brought the Golem to life weren't nature based but were a Cohen, Levi and Yisrael respectively. Each is one of the holy tribes of Israel, (Yisrael is a catch all name for anyone who isn't a Cohen or Levi since the family lines have been forgotten in the millennium since exile. Cohen and Levi family lines are much more culturally important anyway, nothing against the Reuven, Shimon, Yehuda, Gad, Zevulan, Yissaschar, Asher, Dan, Naphtali, Benjamin, Menashe and Ephraim's out there. When it comes down to holy stuff like this situation any Yisrael will do.) with differing strengths and connections to god. The words recited over the Golem were right on being one of god's numerous holy names. I believe they even used the one that Moshe and other Torah bigwigs used to preform straight up miracles. It's got forty-five letters! But they were each rabbis who had studied Kabbalah. The highest of Jewish knowledge only allowed to be learned by men over forty, if you're younger you will be deemed unworthy and your face will melt off like in Indiana Jones. 😉 The 'magic' of all these holy elements, the Kabbalah, God's special name and one Rabbi from each sect of holy Jewish tribes is what brought the Golem to life.

  • @michaelsierra9
    @michaelsierra9 Před 5 lety +2

    Interesting! I can see Mary Shelley got ideas from the Golem story

  • @zytzig3564
    @zytzig3564 Před 5 lety

    I love the series so far. Love the cursing in the outtakes 😀

  • @AkireraStraberri3
    @AkireraStraberri3 Před 4 lety +3

    I remember the Prague Golem because if the Mercy Thompson series xD

  •  Před 5 lety +37

    Oh yes.
    The golem know.

    • @anonb4632
      @anonb4632 Před 4 lety

      Golem just do what they're told.

  • @ortallevi7746
    @ortallevi7746 Před 4 lety

    Fascinating channel! Glad i found it

  • @domainofdoom
    @domainofdoom Před 3 lety

    I saw the Biohazard in the background in your shelf. That's some good reading right there 👍👍

  • @jjhggdcqz
    @jjhggdcqz Před 5 lety +3

    Please do a video about Griffons and a video about Hippogriffs, or do a video about both of them.

  • @valeriano646
    @valeriano646 Před 4 lety +3

    So this Is the Story Of Regigigas!

  • @mochi4926
    @mochi4926 Před 4 lety +2

    I have always found the story of the golem particularly interesting. I love how in the collective subconscious of society, the idea of a manufactured servant and protector has endured. Even now we're trying to construct golems with words. We just call it "artificial intelligence" and the magical inscriptions written on paper are now known as "programming languages." I think it's quite interesting looking at it in this lens. Since if we do create a true A.I., then we'll actually know what the "true name of god" really was, and the form that it takes. I just absolutely love how there is always a small grain of truth in how fairytales and folklore relate to human society. The stories themselves become unbelievable after a time, but the underlying parts still remain tucked away into the subconscious of society. I just think that's so neat. I'm really happy that this series covers these sorts of myths. It's a lot of fun revisiting old tales and creatures.

  • @KruhlSentru
    @KruhlSentru Před 3 lety

    I didn't see it much mentioned here, but often in the most modern forms of the golem, it can be a sort magic robot. It's not uncommon to see them made not just from clay or stone, but from a clockwork or steam powered body.