08-08-2008, 12:00 AM
I looked up the story of the Golem on the net and read some. Kind of like Frankenstien or would it be Frrrankensshteen? It is typical of rabbinical tales in
that it is somewhat fairytail-like with some elements of truth in it.
The Shem Hamphoresh in the story, the "true name of God" is a good example. It says if you are unworthy to utter it it can destroy you etc. There is
much written about the name names of God in Jewish literature and Temple practice.
The Jews do not pronounce the name of god but substitute Adonai or "Lord" when reading scripture. Which we in the West have also done to some extent
with the Bible. There are many names (or aspects) of the one God, but have simply been translated as God or Lord in our Bibles.
The name IHVH which we pronounce Jehovah is sacred and as all the names of God it is among other things a formula. It was used in Biblical times only once a
year and only uttered once by one man, the high priest in the Holy of Holies.
And yes, names can be very powerful invocation tools and should not be used lightly.
The Jewish rabinical stories of those times have much to tell but the Qabala is a living system of knowledge, constantly added to as time goes by. You might
find it easier to relate to some more modern books on the subject.
It kind of reminds me of old Celtic Myths of heroes and godesses etc., very quaint and difficult to decipher.
that it is somewhat fairytail-like with some elements of truth in it.
The Shem Hamphoresh in the story, the "true name of God" is a good example. It says if you are unworthy to utter it it can destroy you etc. There is
much written about the name names of God in Jewish literature and Temple practice.
The Jews do not pronounce the name of god but substitute Adonai or "Lord" when reading scripture. Which we in the West have also done to some extent
with the Bible. There are many names (or aspects) of the one God, but have simply been translated as God or Lord in our Bibles.
The name IHVH which we pronounce Jehovah is sacred and as all the names of God it is among other things a formula. It was used in Biblical times only once a
year and only uttered once by one man, the high priest in the Holy of Holies.
And yes, names can be very powerful invocation tools and should not be used lightly.
The Jewish rabinical stories of those times have much to tell but the Qabala is a living system of knowledge, constantly added to as time goes by. You might
find it easier to relate to some more modern books on the subject.
It kind of reminds me of old Celtic Myths of heroes and godesses etc., very quaint and difficult to decipher.