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Golem with a Cloud
The latest and best - known form of the popular legend is connected with Judah
Loew b. Bezalel of Prague. This legend has no historical basis in
the life of Loew or in the era close to his lifetime.
It was
transferred from R. Elijah of Chelm to R. Loew only at a very late
date, apparently during the second half of the 18th century.
As a
local legend of Prague, it is connected with the Altneuschul
synagogue and with an explanation of special practices in the
prayers of the congregation of Prague.
According to these legends R.
Loew created the golem so that he would serve him, but was
forced to restore him to his dust when the golem began to run
amok and endanger peoples’ lives.
Encyclopedia Judaica p. 755 |
