Sources

Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial Anthropoid

Citation Formats

General Reference

Divinity Atlas. "Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial Anthropoid." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/golem-jewish-magical-and-mystical-traditions-on-the-artificial-anthropoid.

APA Style

Divinity Atlas. (n.d.). Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial Anthropoid. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/golem-jewish-magical-and-mystical-traditions-on-the-artificial-anthropoid

BibTeX

@misc{divinityatlas-golem-jewish-magical-and-mystical-tradit,
  author = {Divinity Atlas},
  title = {Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial Anthropoid},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/golem-jewish-magical-and-mystical-traditions-on-the-artificial-anthropoid},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

Moshe Idel's study works from the documented textual record of Jewish magical and mystical golem traditions across their full historical span, from late antiquity through the modern period, tracing how the concept and its associated practices actually developed and changed rather than presenting one fixed golem legend as representative of the whole tradition. That comprehensive, source-based historical method is the book's real evidentiary basis and the reason it remains the standard reference on the subject. This record has not independently traced further scholarly disagreement with Idel's specific readings since 1990. Use it for established facts about the historical development of golem traditions across this span; a claim resting on one specific later popular golem legend needs a source addressing that specific legend and its own separate origin.

Facts

Assessment

Reliability Tier

Moshe Idel's study working from the documented textual record of Jewish magical and mystical golem traditions across their full historical span, tracing how the concept and its practices actually developed rather than presenting one fixed legend as representative.

Notes

The comprehensive treatment of golem traditions from late antiquity to the modern period.

Citation

Author

Moshe Idel

Publisher

State University of New York Press

Publication Year

1990

Source Type

academic monograph

Cross-Tradition Connections

Questions Resolved By This

Did an oral tradition connect Judah Loew ben Bezalel to golem-making before the 1830s literary versions?

Establishes no source attaches a golem to Judah Loew ben Bezalel before the nineteenth century and that the 1909 book fixing the popular narrative is its author's own literary invention.

Source Golem: Jewish Magical and Mystical Traditions on the Artificial AnthropoidMoshe Idel

Claims Backed By This Source (148 claims)

This source backs 148 claims across the atlas. As facts: 106 well-attested, 3 scholarly debate, 4 popular myth - corrected. As cited relationships: 5 holds, 2 connected. Plus 28 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Alphabet Letters, 88 claims: 66 well-attested, 22 general references.
Mythical Creatures, 13 claims: 8 well-attested, 4 popular myth - corrected, 1 general references.
Open Questions, 12 claims: 8 well-attested, 1 holds, 2 connected, 1 general references.
Myths & Sacred Narratives, 11 claims: 9 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Historical Figures, 9 claims: 4 well-attested, 3 scholarly debate, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Sources, 7 claims: 7 well-attested.
Articles, 4 claims: 4 well-attested.
Cultures, 3 claims: 2 holds, 1 general references.
Cities, 1 claims: 1 general references.