Is Trump a Golem?
In Jewish legend, a Golem is an anthropomorphic creature formed out of dirt or mud. The Golem is a shapeless mass, not quite alive but not dead either. The being is brought to life by a religious figure or a threatened community to combat clear and present danger. Like Frankenstein, the Golem goes on a rampage and becomes a destructive force.
The most well known Golem story comes from a 16th Century European folktale. In the village of Prague, Rabbi Judah Bezalel grows alarmed when an anti-Semitic priest incites villagers against Jews. The rabbi gathers clay from the banks of the Vitava River and molds a human-like figure. He breathes life into the creation by inscribing the Hebrew word “emeth” (truth) in the Golem’s forehead. The rabbi instructs the Golem to fend off the evil townspeople and protect the Jewish community. The Golem goes mad and destroys the village killing innocent people. The rabbi then renders the Golem lifeless by smudging out the first letter on the Golem’s forehead leaving the Hebrew word “meth” (death).
A Golem vaguely resembles a human being. It has great strength but its eyes are empty. It speaks crudely and has difficulty communicating. It is brought to life to do the bidding of its creators. In Hebrew, the term means “dumb” or “helpless.” It’s also a metaphor for an entity that serves humanity under certain conditions, but is hostile under others. People turn…
