Geowonderland: Golem of Chelm

The city of Chelm, in eastern Poland, prospered during the 16^th century. During that time, Rabbi Elijah Ba’al Shem became a famous leader of Jewish community. He is known for creating the Golem of Chelm, which takes us to the legend.

Chelm, once important center of Jewish learning, was home to Rabbi Elijah during the 16^th century. Rabbi was a man of much wisdom. In his eager hours of prayer, his soul seemed to shift out of his body reaching the heavenly kingdom. Upon his soul’s return on the earthly planes, he healed the sick with his prayers. Thus, after many healing miracles, the people called him a Ba’al Shem, meaning the master who healed with the prayers.

His name spread beyond many boarders, yet it was for a different reason. In the year not exactly known, but known for a scorching summer, the Rabbi spent a lot of hours in his attic. The people assumed he was hiding from the sun.

One day, the Rabbi said to his beadle, “I need you to carry buckets full of clay and water to the attic.” After a short pause, he added, “Why don’t you leave it in front of the attic door. I’ll handle it from there.” The beadle carried a bucket of clay, followed by a bucket of water. He’s done so many rounds until he lost the count and was too tired to carry even an empty bucket any more. When he sat down at the top of the stairs to catch his breath, his curiosity made him peeped through the keyhole, trying to find out what Rabbi was doing. But it was dark. Nothing appeared on the other side. What beadle didn’t know was that Rabbi knowing him well and his curiosity covered the keyhole with a thick parchment of sheepskin.

In the following days, the beadle couldn’t keep his tongue at rest; instead he spread a rumor that the Rabbi was up to something. The people carrying their everyday duties in their dull lives didn’t mind some destruction.

On the third day, the people started gathering in front of Rabbi Elijah house as waiting for something. But nothing happened in the following days, until the seventh day. When the Rabbi opened the door of his house, a big giant appeared behind him. His body seemed to be made of clay and his features were rather sharp, not quite resembling human.

As the Rabbi stepped outside and aside to let the full view of the clay figure, he explained, “This is Golem,” which meant a formless mass. On his forehead was a piece of parchment with one written word ‘emet,’ meaning truth. With this word, the Rabbi put life into Golem. “He is here to help us with our chores. Hopefully, to make our lives easier and safer.” Upon the last word, the Rabbi choked a bit as everyday he thought of his oppressed people spread out throughout the world. Having a safe place to live and practice their religion was on every Jew’s mind.

The people were very pleased with Rabbi Elijah's creation. Quickly, they saw the strength of Golem and his efficiency in performing tasks. Nevertheless, a new problem appeared.

Golem was a man’s creation, not God’s. Therefore, he lacked the gifts of reason and speech. He carried the tasks he was asked to do without any thinking.

One day, the preoccupied Rabbi said to Golem, “There is no water at home. I need you to fetch it from the well.” Golem not able to think, fetched one bucket after another pouring it through the kitchen window onto the floor. When the Rabbi came home from the Synagogue, he found his furniture floating inside the house, resembling ships drifting in the ocean.

Another time, a mother with a child clinging to her leg used her last piece of wood to make food. Upon seeing Golem, she asked, “Can you get me some wood.” Golem stood still not understanding what to do. Frustrated woman pointed to the forest and said, “I need you to go there and chop some wood.” The Golem left.

After a few hours with the first sun rays setting down on the ground, the woman ran to the Rabbi and explained the situation. “Don’t worry, I’ll find Golem.” With those words the Rabbi headed toward the forest.

As soon as he entered the edge of what once was a forest, the Rabbi froze dumbfounded. There was no more forest. All the trees were chopped down. Now, the stakes of cut-down trees created a grove.

The Rabbi brought Golem back home and prayed vigorously for a sign from above as he was not sure what to do with Golem.

Following morning, upon awakening the Rabbi knew what to do. He waited until the evening, when Golem was asleep. Quietly, the Rabbi removed the parchment from Golem’s forehead. As the word ‘emet’ giving life was removed from his forehead, the formed body of clay turned into a shapeless mass. There was no more Golem.

In the following centuries many rabbis tried to create Golem, hoping for a better result. But it was always the same outcome. The mindless body of clay, not being God’s creation, only brought more distress than help.