I'll be doing a full director's commentary for this on my patreon, where folks can ask me questions and hear behind-the-scenes info. Come hang! www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
this is a really cool story. I like how well selfaware the golem is. He knows imidiatly his existance could become a problem and he is sad about becoming well basically dead. i kinda wanna give him a name (maybe truth but idk if thats disrespctful) since he feels like a Person.
Shoutout to the incredible tonal whiplash between "Who will tell us what God felt, looking at his Rabbi in Prague?" and "The golem really goes sicko mode."
The beginning of the Golem story is making me imagine a noir-style detective story with the Golem at the center. A huge clay man in a sweeping trench coat and a fedora with a glowing golden "emet" written on it, solving mysteries and punching Nazis.
Tbf, one of the two stories was probably based on the other (or at least strongly influenced). The original Frankenstein is a book with heavily religious overtones, and the main message is one of "man shouldn't play with creation because that is only for god".
i'm a religious studies scholar and genuinely wrote down "post-holocaust golem theology" to look into yesterday and was so excited to see this on my feed! what a wonderful breakdown of the history of the golem and it's implications and interpretations today. thanks again jacob!
@@brig.gen.georgiiisserson7226 unfortunately I haven't written anything on the topic myself! If I ever do though I'll try to remember to let y'all know
Fun fact: you can stop a golem by removing the first letter of the word "emeth" written on its forehead, so the word "meth" is left and the golem gets arrested by the DEA
The golem pleading to stay alive with the "I've done everything you've asked of me" just hit so hard and the book just expects you to move on after that page like ????? So powerful and so abrupt
Theres a part that Jacob doesnt narrate in the story that really makes me tear up at 10:06 "Please!" Golem cried. "Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so... Precious... to me!" With that, he collapsed into clay. I want to believe Rabbi Loew had to recite Kaddish, for he truly believed he had destroyed his own child...
Theres something extremely surreal about the scene of the golem waking up, turning towards the rabi and immediately saying "father, was this wise to do?". I'm not sure why that hit me so hard, but it definitely did.
tbh every single time someone decides to wake ME up, I greet them with something similar. except I guess a bit more sleep-slurred and along the lines of 'whwhatttefucccwhyd'youwakemeuppppp'
For anyone unaware and curious you should check out the channel Nerdsync’s video “Captain America punching nazis: why comics are always political” it’s about an hour long and he discusses more obviously but he spends a fair amount of time explaining how captain America was created by Jews during ww2 and he has a large A on his brow which stands for “TRUTH justice and the American way” and i think you can see where I’m going with that but he explains much more in depth i think anyone who enjoyed this video and Jacob’s content in general would also enjoy Nerdsync’s content
Honestly? I think this was the most compelling ad read I've ever experienced. Not in terms of wanting to subscribe to skillshare, but just because the video dug so deeply into my soul that when he told me to pick up some clay I almost went out to my garden to pull clay from the soil so I could sculpt a little dude.
I really like the golems in Terry Pratchett's Discworld. They are themselves persecuted, and create a meta-golem to protect them. They're also linked to language in interesting ways, animated by laws placed in their heads.
Another interesting note is that their Golem is essentially driven mad by the needs placed upon him, by the words upon words placed into his head that he could never fulfill.
I think it's also wonderful that golems that own themselves gain the power to speak, trapped mute beforehand. An example of Terry Pratchett's uncanny ability to literalise societal metaphor: An enslaved person is not free to speak.
I don't know if this was intentional with the art style or if I'm just seeing things, but the smoke from the torches of the mob really resemble the lightning that animated the golem. Almost like pointing out people's hatred has animated something sinister inside of them.
I was thinking along similar lines when he mentioned the Golem growing larger as the mob approached. I thought there was a message coming about the Golem being the product of bitterness and anger, and thus fueled by that, though the Rabbi may not have been fully conscious of that while creating him.
probably has something to do with the whole "we're God's chosen people and you aren't" thing for some reason people react to that sorta talk with persecution, can't imagine why
Picture this: I'm a Jewish writer and linguist, sitting at my desk wearing a Superman t-shirt. My friend sends me this video, and I start listening, thinking it'll be a nice, interesting podcast-esque thing to listen to while I send some emails. Thirty minutes later, I've sent no emails, and I'm crying at my desk. This video is everything I love most in the world, wrapped up into one beautiful package explaining why I love it so much. Thanks.
That's kinda smart, from a cultural perspective. You and your people are affected by rumors of witchcraft and murder? Spread a rumor that you have a giant murderer made out of witchcraft hiding in your religious space. Think they'll come seek it out? Spread a rumor that, actually, they already tried that and it didn't work. Generations later, the basic gist gets turned into a story with bits and pieces added for dramatic flair gradually til the original purpose was lost. Not an antisemitic creep or anything, just thinking out loud
@@donkoplays5734 "Not an antisemitic creep or anything, just thinking out loud" Nah, I didn't think so. I get the interest in the cultural analyzation.
that’s a lovely story! there’s also a local tale that a Nazi soldier attempted to enter the attic during the German purges, and died in the attempt, which was why the synagogue survived the war.
Anybody ever been to the attic? Pretty sure there wont be any golem up therd but i wonder if theres something cool in there.... something that mightve inspired the myth.
"Please!" Golem cried. "Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so . . . precious . . . to me!" Why yes, I am actually crying. As someone who has struggled with wanting to be unalive, just reading the line 'life is so precious to me' really struck a nerve. Thank you for telling and filming and uploading this story!
I can't find the story now, I think the actual article was about something like solar power in Hawaii. The aside was about how the subject was a swimmer struck by a boat, and the propeller did some predictably horrific damage. But he got to shore and survived. The relevant quote is something like "I was overcome by how beautiful the world was, and how much I loved it and everyone in it."
AW YEAH SON, found the article. longreads.com/2017/08/08/hard-lessons-in-living-off-the-grid/ Here's the quote: “I wasn’t scared to die,” he wrote a month later from his hospital bed, “but I was sad to die. I realized how much I love our beautiful world and everyone that is a part of it … and I was sad that I’d only just noticed.”
I am LITERALLY 3 minutes into this but I feel a mighty need, as an art student who has done cut paper for some university assignments, to express how INSANE those illustrations are to me. Cut paper is HARD, even when you're working with relatively simplistic designs. The pieces shown here are complex illustrations full of little details, and they are beautifully done. I just really wanted to extend my appreciation here, since I can kind of imagine the painstaking hours that likely went into creating all of these. Edit: Unrelated to anything I said before but man, of all the videos I've watched this was not the video I was expecting to suddenly hear my name in.
Soooo, South Park's style is actually very impressive, even if half of their jokes are okay and the rest are subpar and only funny because of the shock value?
@@cameronjadewallace Well, as someone who has never watched South Park, nor has an interest in watching it, and was not talking about it in this comment, I wouldn't know! Their animation style is clearly inspired by cut paper to some degree, but it's definitely done digitally. I was specifically talking about the book read in the video here, which also, iirc, never mentions South Park. I appreciate what you're getting at in this comment, but I think it would probably be more relevant elsewhere.
Doesn't matter either way but I thought I'd throw it out there that South Park WAS cut paper in the beginning. However, it was overwhelmingly difficult keeping up with putting out a new episode every week using cut paperr, so they made the switch to digital. But yes, cut paper IS hard, super agree. I sort of stopped making art after getting a degree in it, but I used to love incorporating cut paper with gouache/watercolor illustrations and like... I feel that's a media that you can really only do on your own time and not professionally, with a time limit. I mean it's not obviously but I could never. I agree the illustrations are crazy impressive
This was amazing Jacob, thank you so much for this video. I'm a guide at the Holocaust Museum in Curitiba (in Brazil), and a grandson of a Holocaust survivor. We focus a lot on telling personal and intimate stories of Holocaust victims and the last part of the video stroke a really important chord for me. It's been hard living in Brazil during Bolsonaro's government, and last week there were two instances of antisemitism from some important figures of his mandate, one of them being blood libel insinuations. Anyway, I guess your video was really well timed and it's alway good to remember the power of our words and stories. Chag Pesach Sameach to you!
Peraí, tem um museu do holocausto aqui no brazil? Legal. Eu nunca entendi por que os crentes odeiam vcs judeus. Se bem que eu tambem nunca entendi por que eles odeiam gente como eu, que guarda as tradições Yorubá de meus ancestrais. Não que eu seja melhor que eles. O ódio é algo que até eu sinto.
@@victor_silva6142 O Museu do Holocausto de Curitiba existe em homenagem às vítimas do Holocausto que encontraram um lar no Paraná e no Brasil. Muitos judeus vieram pra cá antes, durante e após a segunda guerra mundial pra encontrar refugio. E a história doa antissemitismo é meio longa e complexa haha, mas muito de mitos antissemitas vem de ideias do cristianismo antigo, que foram só sendo repassados. Se você tiver interesse em descobrir mais sobre o museu, a instituição tá em todas as redes sociais (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, RUclips e TikTok), vale a pena dar uma olhada, só pesquisar "Museu do Holocausto de Curitiba".
@@nicholasperes4355 Do you happen to know where, or maybe more accurately, how anti-semitism formed before Christianity? I've tried researching it and I end up to Greeks not liking that Jews didn't worship their Gods or something.
Jacob, this could be one of your most personal essays so far and it is undeniably beautiful. That will be my first proper introduction to Jewish folklore and I am grateful for that. I also realized how transcultural the notion of Golem is. Starting as a Jewish folk story, it blended into modern and postmodern narratives. Take for instance, Golem city from Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. I never realized the parallels, but it is falling into place now: marginalized people in the ghetto, animated (augmented) matter made alive, a tall protector figure (Marchenko). The story, among other things, is mostly set in Prague
Wow, that's deep. The whole game feels like it was written by a 12-year old. The writers were like "We'll name the ghetto Golem City, because it's set in Prague, that's so clever. And we'll put R.U.R. book in the game, because it is about augmented people, wow, we're so smart. Everyone will see we have done our research." I'm surprised there isn't a bug somewhere referencing to Kafka. There probably is and I just forgot about it.
I’m Jewish. I grew up with the story of the golem, told to me by my dad, who has a tiny figurine of one hanging on a leather cord from a lamp, with a Jewish star on the other end. I remember playing Minecraft for the first time and getting so excited to see golems in the game, protecting people like they’re meant to. After watching this video, I showed it to my dad and ever time I see this video, I feel very strong emotions. This story means so much to me, ever since I was a little kid. Thank you so much for making this video.
@@esttrox5881 What might seem to be an expression of support in some contexts is absolutely not in others. This is "others". Edit: A respectful way to express support would have been to replace "Jesus" with "God". Christianity has a substantial history of being extremely unkind to the Jews - to "express support" using Christian-specific terminology is, at best, proselytizing, not supporting.
This was such a beautiful video. Growing up in England there isn't much education on Jewish tradition, and I would say even less knowledge of it in the zeitgeist, and resources like this are such a fantastic way to spread that information. I hope you had a good Passover.
Passover is still going on! It lasts 8 days, and started Saturday night. The first two nights we have fancy dinners, called "Seders", but the holiday is the whole week.
"There's one in Pokemon but that one probably doesn't count." - Anyone want to tell this man about Golurk? It's a ghost/ground type fashioned out of clay. "When the seal on its chest is removed it rages indiscriminately, turning the whole town around it into a mountain of rubble."
As a non-Jewish person, I absolutely love whenever you talk about your experiences as a Jew. It’s so refreshing to see someone so enthusiastic about anything, and willing to talk about it at length, because anybody can see that you really care! You really care about what you say and it is wonderful to hear.
That’s pretty cool, if the golem is supposed to be a metaphor for literature and the written word, then it acting as a detective, debunking false ideas and then being able to be used to cause violence is really thematically sophisticated and is in my opinion really cool.
@@Anans1_Spyd3r I think It's a joke from Pete Holm's Badman shorts that are basically Batman but as dumb and crass as a spoiled rich kid would be. In one Superman wants to team up but all Batman does is make fun of him and insult him. "This coming from the guy who has to write his initial on his shirt." "It's not my initial, it stands for hope" "Hope doesn't start with an S idiot" My favorite line being. "So which Newsie did you base Clark Kent on? I'm getting a strong Crutchie vibe."
@@Anans1_Spyd3r The "S" is sometimes defined as Kryptonian for hope or the sigil of the House of El (El being defined as "Star"). I've never seen it defined as truth...but I also haven't read every Superman comic.
@@joncarroll2040 i think that's almost more pertinent. the golem of the story has "truth" written on his head because that was his purpose, to find the truth of who was murdering people to protect his community. Superman's S means "hope" and designates *his* purpose, something he can provide to protect. something i'm sure can seem in low supply to modern Jewish folks
28:08 Pokemon actually does have a parallel to the Golem, just... not the Pokemon named Golem, strangely. The Pokemon Golurk is described by the Pokedex as having been "ordered to protect people and Pokémon by the ancient people who made them."
Another example of the golem in pokemon are the Legendary Titans of Hoenn. Especially with their connection to the braille writing system, as well as how each of them is reflective of a point in human history
@@empoleonmaster6709 mhm! For the braille part, in their original region of Hoenn, it was a braille puzzle that allowed you to access them. in terms of the human eras, Regice is the ice age, Regirock is the stone age, Registeel is the iron age, Regieleki is the modern/electric age, and Regidrago is less sure but it could be the Middle Ages
@@empoleonmaster6709 Regigigas doesn’t have one I believe since it’s the trio master but it is arguably the most based on the Golem based on its sealing
Think if I say I'm 39 (I am), that we'll eventually get just continually older people responding? Also, so much love for the wholesomeness of this chat + the video.
Hi Jacob, I doubt you'll see this, as I'm coming to this so late, but I wanted to tell you how much this video means to me. I've shared it far and wide because I truly love it so much. I'm an indigenous Chamoru of Guahån, and the whole idea of creating art that preserves a people deeply resonated with me. I am eternally grateful for your perspective on this, and since this video has released, I've worked that idea into my actions every day when I share the art and culture of my people. Sångan i guaguan(speak what is valuable), yan Saina ma'åse ( and the elder is merciful (how we say thank you in Guahån))
It’s so rare to find another Chamoru person on the internet. Hafa adai! I really hope that you can continue to preserve our culture through your art and maybe even allow it to grow.
@@illeagle9560 the USA occupy guam without any consent -- i can't speak for those who aren't me but please don't think of places like guam or hawai'i as solely travel destinations
@@judgerussell2331 I'm not the traveling type, I like looking into the history of different places. I love Guam, and wish the country had the full rights of a state while maintaining it's current government
Thank you for this beautiful video. My grandfather was a survivor, and I hate to say but my family is Jewish in lineage and name alone. I’m starting the process of reclaiming my Judaism (the last time I was in a synagogue was my Bat Mitzvah) and this video is just another piece of encouragement to learn more about our beautiful culture and traditions. Thank you, Jacob.
Dude, the meta hit me hard after watching that Iron Giant scene again, I remembered when my father told me the ending of his favorite show as a kid, when Giant Robot (also the name of the show) sacrificed itself to destroy an asteroid to save the Earth, also like Superman does at the end of the All Star Superman comic (well, he flies away to fix the sun) to save us all. Good stuff.
"That concludes our storytime. Now, I think we have some birthdays today? Ari, Miriam-" SORRY YOU JUST SHOT MY BUTT BACK INTO HEBREW SCHOOL SO FAST I HAVE WHIPLASH FROM THE TALITOT HITTING MY FACEEEE
"Who will tell us the things God felt, when looking at his rabbi in Prague?" now that is some damn effecting poetry, that line gave me pause like few other things have.
Never in my life have I sat through a 40 minute video from a creator I've never heard of before and been absolutely unable to tear myself away from the screen. This was captivating.
I did actually go home and tell the story of the golem. My son is into Minecraft and he loves summoning golems. It's pretty cool they protect the villagers. Thanks for making this Jacob. It was quite beautoful to watch.
@Cornerdisc5504 Probably not specifically a reference to the original Jewish golem, as this has been in different cultures across the world for quite a long time. I remember there's a "chinese goddess of nature that make little clay humans who dies protecting them and became the forests we live in" that's also been around for long. Giants or golems that exist for were created for the sole reason for protection is a premise that seems to reoccur over and over again, though usually "we" are meant to overcome them to "get to the treasure" or something like that. But it's cool to see the possible origins and learning about other cultural significant figures. :D
I love the idea of you popping out the womb, deadpan asking your dad if this was a good idea, and him nonchalantly throwing up his hands saying, "We'll find out."
Late, but this quote is interesting to me. I believe it is supposed to reference how every rabbi, would have different insights to the point that one of them has a second opinion, but the other interpretation is that all the rabbis have the same underlying message, but express them differently.
@@diserna98 the quote I’ve always heard was “2 Jews, 3 opinions”. That one has a message that the discussion between people changes their opinions into something new and hopefully better than what they had each come up with on their own. I like that meaning :)
@@ileutur6863 I'm glad you're interested. It is a very difficult subject to research, because any actual documentation is usually passed within Jewish communities, or is, like you said, some sort of racist conspiracy theory. The short and simple is: there's no real reason other than that they were there, and they were different, so it was easy to pin all the issues on them, especially during times where superstition was science.
@@ileutur6863 Probably because two of the major abrahamic religions actively condemns them, and they are not the majority in but one of the countries in the world and thus quite easy to pick on? And the way they wanted to persevere was kind of an exclusive covenant which makes it harder for them to actively sought solidarity from other groups?
@@kseriousr it is odd how christianity doesnt like them (unless they are political shills like Shaprio) even though christianity wouldn't exist without Judaism.
@@ileutur6863 If you want a one sentence explanation, it basically boils down to this: The Jews have been without a land of their own for the majority of history - a land where _they_ are the ruling class and the majority population at the same time. As such, they're always living _under_ - living as _The Other_ - and historical cultures love to hate and fear an Other.
@@Aging_Casually_Late_Gamer Probably have to do with how christians are taught that Jesus was rejected by them despite all the 'evidences', . It's kind of funny that Muslims hate the christians claiming the same reason. Nothing divides us more than religious indoctrination.
I’m a Jewish person who didn’t grow up religious and I’ve been trying to understand my culture more and this was really beautiful, your analysis and narration voice is wonderful
I grew up in a Romanian, Christian-Orthodox family, but Jewish culture always seemed beautiful and incredibly interesting to learn about. Your channel is amazing by itself, but the little glimpses into Jewish folklore you’ve shared with us have been eye-opening and inspiring in a way that’s hard for me to explain. So all I’m left with is gratitude. Thank you, Jacob.
Coming from a Christian family with an emphasis on keeping the faith as rooted in Judaism as it actually is, my (immediate) family has always tried to attend congregations in which the pastors were Jewish, Greek, or had close relations and studied with Rabbis. Though I’m a skeptic, the culture, belief system, and how it flows into Christianity are really interesting.
I feel like every time we see Jacobs face his beard has grown up further on his cheeks. One day his beard and hair line will join and he will gain the strength of Samson.
First of all, you need to give no care to your beard for 3 years for that to have a chance of happening, second of all, you have to isolate yourself and practice a lot of prayer for you to be able to get the strength of Samson (or according to some any other singuler superhuman trait)
Is this what going too far with hair transplantation gone too far looks like. Is it too much ghetto barbershop dye. What is it about it it looks so disturbing
As a broke college boy, I'm so grateful for everyone who supports Jacob on patreon. I know money isn't everything, but I'm so glad he can make these beautiful essays without worrying about income or job security.
That Wiesel line about his father would sound innocuous coming from anyone else, but having read Night and knowing about how he lost his father in the Holocaust, that line hits like a truck
When you spoke about the final story and it's importance surrounding the holocaust I could see the emotions pouring out of every word you spoke. I'm not Jewish and I know the horrors they endured but it hits different when you can feel the pain through a phrase that doesn't mention the horrors directly. I'm continually impressed by the structure and depth of every word spoken in these videos. I was never one for literature or art. But I'm glad I'm here
i got linked to this video by a friend, and as a jewish nerd, it's one of the most beautiful, well-thought, unabashedly jewish videos i've ever seen, and i definitely shed a tear at the end. you put what makes the golem story so powerful into words, and i appreciate it!
The way the Hebrew came back to me so I could sing happy birthday after not having heard it for like half a decade made me feel like a little Jewish sleeper agent
For those interested in a more modern fantasy take on the golem, may I humbly offer "The Golem and the Jinni." It's a really great story about Chava the golem (incidentally, Golems are by default masculine, so it's interesting to see a female one) and Ahmad the jinni living in the jewish and syrian immigrant communities respectively. Also, the kabbalah magic system isn't just occult bs, so that's nice.
S for hope started with Mark Waid in 2004, and S in general being Kryptonian glyph instead of just an English letter started with Donner's Superman The Movie (because Marlon wanted to wear S symbol too, but also originally that was meant to be sign for entire planet in Puzo script)
This story isn't about being jewish it's about to souls and a good heart. I myself am Jewish I only recently started to learn more about this topic, and it broke my heart aswell
I live and work in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Its an Orthodox Jewish community.(yes....that Jewish community in Pittsburgh. It happened just a few blocks from where I sit right now) Alot of my regulars are Jewish ....so after watching this you've given me a great way to connect with a people I don't know too much about. What I do know is that they are all very nice and accepting people. The kosher deli employs many Islamic refugees and everyone gets along. Knowing their history a little better goes to show just how forgiving they are.... they've had it rough yet they still manage to be inclusive to every culture that's mixed in the neighborhood. I am truly grateful that I live in such a great little town. I highly recommend you come here if you ever visit Pittsburgh!
The people are the people no matter where. Always have been. If you're not scared of your own shadow it's amazing how much we all have in common & what we can accomplish. Problem is those sleazy politicians are forever inserting themselves. Love my country and it's people. Hate my Government and its sleazy politicians
The community that's been fostered within Pittsburgh, between various minority groups as well as non minorities, feels almost protective. Despite the hatred imbued within America, and what has inevitably bled into Pittsburgh, out community has really been a powerful source of acceptance and stability. It's flawed but I wouldn't ask for anywhere else.
this is the first youtube video to move me to tears, and i'm not even jewish. this is a beautifully written loveletter to your culture and i'm so glad it exists
Despite being matrilineally Jewish, I was raised areligious, so I know very little about Jewish folklore - this was really interesting. Yours continues to be one of my favorite channels on YT. Excellent video as always.
Funnily, I’m kinda the opposite. I am not matrilineally Jewish (my father is Jewish, my mother is Catholic), but I was raised as a Jew. Still don’t know that much Jewish folklore though...
I have the same situation, my parents wanted to let me grow up enough to make my own decisions before teaching me. By time they decided I was ready, I was too old to think religous stories made sense. Only folklore I knew was from my very Jewish extended family.
@@BirdMoose Maybe you wouldn’t have changed your mind if you were younger. I was about five when I was getting taught religion, yet, at that age, I found the whole thing unrealistic and illogical; the religion’s story was more akin to fairy tales than historical events. I still feel that way. I think growing up with a religion can influence you, but if you have the power to think for yourself anyway, you can become irreligious.
@@papasscooperiaworker3649 Totally, my point was simply my parents didn't want to force religion upon me. Plenty of people raised religious don't believe it though. (And in all fairness some people not raised religious find faith.)
I just wanted to let you know that my son and I both have Jewish heritage. He sent me this link because he loved the way you told this story. Thank you.
Is Frosty the Snowman a sort of golem? Brought to life by children with a magical hat, helps guide them through the city, celebrating with them, only to go away when the winter is over.
Damn! this video brought me to tears. I’m not Jewish, but the desire to be free from oppression and suffering is one that may people can understand. What a powerful story. And a powerful myth. And the part about our art acting as our protector, it’s making me cry just typing this! Sometimes as a trans woman making art feels like the only thing I can do to be protected. Thank you for this video! This is the second time I’ve had tears running down my face after one of ur essays 😂. The first being “to translate a forest”.
I'm a Vietnamese and as I sat through this video, I couldn't help thinking about the similarities between the Golem and Thánh Gióng (Saint Giong), a figure in Vietnamese folklore. The story of Saint Giong took place when the king was looking for soldiers to help fight back invaders. Saint Giong, who was a kid that could not speak at the time, suddenly started speaking when the king's men arrived at his house. Giong then told the men to report back to the king, and tell him to prepare the kind of sword, armor and horse that only a giant can use. The men did what he asked, and over the next few days Giong grew up rapidly. The entire village prepared food and clothing for him, but they had to desperately keep up. Eventually Giong grew into a giant man, and the king's men arrived with what he asked for. Saint Giong donned his armor, mounted the giant steel horse and rode into the battle against the invaders with his giant sword. It was, of course, a victory for Giong and when the fighting was over, Saint Giong went atop a mountain and flew away. There's the giant fighting against an enemy of the people, and there's the same giant becoming... gone, for a lack of better terms. The theme of protection, though, I think is less prevalent than in the Golem lore, perhaps because Saint Giong didn't do any detective work to dispel any untruths about the Vietnamese people, but instead he fought against an enemy that was already marching towards our doorsteps. Still, I'd like to think that theme is still there in the story. I don't think the story of Saint Giong inspired the Golem, nor do I think it's the other way around (at least, I don't have any evidence or link that support either statements). But to me it's amazing how Saint Giong and the Golem, while they are intrinsically different characters, resemble each other in some ways, and all because of our need for comfort in dark chapters of history. (To oversimplify, Vietnam basically spent a thousand years being oppressed by Chinese invaders.)
the golem is probably is an archytipal story past down through out all of humanity much like how you can find drangons in europien mythology and aztek mythology although there has been no contact between them
Imagine if Saint Giong's primary intended purporse was to hunt down any Chinese who said that the Vietnamese ate Chinese babies. That's it: no steel horse, no epic battle, just killing those Chinese slanderers. Oppressive rule? Whatever, just don't say any lies about us. That would be weird. In fact, I would start to wonder if maybe those Vietnamese hadn't been eating the occasional Chinese baby. Sure seems like a sensitive subject.
Its probably because size is seen as power and strength. Perhaps there was a great warrior and leader who inspired amazing feats in battle to win the unwinnable. Or a strategist who planned a defence people couldnt imagine but it worked. Or simply a big man cursed with gigantism, who beat back the invaders but then died still young because of his gigantism. I doubt myths like these are simply made up. They probably come to describe the undescribable.
I can't help noticing that in English, removing a letter from 'Life' become 'Lie' - the opposite of how 'Truth' becomes 'Death' in Hebrew I have no conclusion but this is a thing that happens
hebrew works a little differently, every word has a 3 letter "root" which doesnt change in other versions of the word... for example in life you have live lived alive but the hebrew truth you have the root אמת which is contained in אמיתי אימות for example, hebrew also uses letters for a lot of things, there are hebrew numbering systems using the letters like roman numerals (slightly differently) and not ALL words have a 3 letter root, like "מת" specifically but also a lot of newer words have 4 letter or longer roots, especially words borrowed from other languages like for computers or things that didnt exist in the bible :) english structure is just as interesting but the word play works differently because english encodes other languages into its spelling, like how you can tell some words come from french and some from spanish originally just by seeing them.
I'm ten minutes in, and that children's rendition of the Golem story was hauntingly beautiful. "The Golem's agency is not usually so highlighted." It _hurts_ to watch the Rabbi kill him here.
Hi Mr. Jacob Geller!! I hoped to send you an email but could not find one so i will type here! I am a high school senior who is taking a civics class and has been asked to write about an issue important to me. i have chosen antisemitism. i talk a lot about the phenomenon of the jewish superhero in this essay, about the torah and the golem and fear. i frequently rewatch this essay, its a big comfort for me- i even showed it to my rabbi (she loved it)!!! rest assured, this video will be on my works cited page. thank you for your inspiration!!!!
Superman may not have “Truth” written across his head, but he does have “Hope” written across his chest. I don’t know if that means anything but I found it interesting.
@@James11111 Wasn't Jesus Jewish? At least, as an ethnicity (of course correct me if I'm wrong). Jesus wasn't against Jews, He was against the greed of the people that they had at the time, it could have been Greeks or Egyptians and it wouldn't have been any different, wether you believe Jesus is the Messiah or not both Moses and Jesus have a lot in common in their story while their motives and things like that are obviously different. Of course this is my opinion I'm not hating on anyone for having a different opinion.
@@CourtesyOfPatron See you're right, but you're just missing the point and overthinking things. I'm merely noticing the irony in giving Jesus symbolism (most notable in recent DCCU movies) to a character made by jews. That's all.
The world is full of bad things right now. I just discovered your videos and found them not only very well done, but also cozy, comfortable. They're a place to be safe, to shelter myself from the horrors of the world; but its not numbing. Its not just white noise, its educational. It keeps my brain doing gymnastics and keeping it curious. Thank you so much for this.
I really love how when text appears on screen, instead of having the words just transposed over the screen you got them at that cool angle where they look like they’re physically on the wall behind you. Idk it’s just a really neat effect
The fucking transition to the birthday song after jacob finished the book got me so bad, like I was laughing incredibly hard, but like, good memories man
I cried at the end of this. Our small family was the only group of our extended family to survive Auschwitz, and we had to hide our Judaism to survive. It's so disconnected now, just a vague hand-me-down memory of a lost culture. Thank you for helping me connect with it
Same! Our great grandmother converted, and reclaiming everything the last few years has been very difficult. There's some really good reading lists online to get started!
as a jew your channel has always been extremely striking and all of your work is incredible. you’re one of the only content creators i can think of (whose primary focus isn’t jewish content) that is unabashedly proud of their jewish identity and its really amazing to see. also the okami soundtrack is so good and i was super jazzed to hear it
@@iwannabethekid34xc No, and I don’t know where you read that we do. Here’s the actual etymology, if you’re interested. “Yente” is a Yiddish given female name (meaning nobile/upstanding), and is also the name of a character in Fiddler on the Roof. The character’s existence led to a misconception that female matchmakers were all called Yente, but that’s....literally just the character’s name. It’s like watching “Hamlet” and going “gee, this Hamlet guy is a prince, therefore Hamlet means the same thing as prince. I wonder how Hamlet William’s doing?” “Shiksa” is kind of an inside joke that used to be a pejorative, but isn’t really anymore. It means “non-Jewish girl” or “non-observant girl,” but the whole joke is about them being attractive. As for what we call Jewish women? We call them their names, like the commenter above me said.
On the alternative side, I find his videos a refreshing insight into Jewish culture and perhaps modern Jewish identity? I don't often come across that in my world and like you said it's nice to see someone take pride in it. Honestly I could listen to Jacob talk about anything, but the sophistication he brings to his videos and topics always has me delighted.
I cannot express how honored I feel to be able to experience this essay. Being non-Jewish, I can never truly grasp the immense beauty and sorrow that permeates Jewish culture and history. But I think you managed to capture some of that in this video, and did it so well that even someone like me can know the slightest glimmer of it. Thank you for sharing, Jacob. This was wonderful as always.
But this has nothing to do with you being jewish or not. Even if you are a jew that doesnt mean that you can automatically "grasp the immense beauty and sorrow that permeates jewish culture and history." It takes a great deal of effort, and most people including jews dont bother
@@maxsimes I'm a bit leery of these essentialist takes. I was raised Orthodox Jewish and left that religion. I'm incredibly bitter and jaded about the Jewish religion's inextricable xenophobia and various other bigotries, and I think religious Zionism makes us collectively less safe (which really defeats the original purposes of Zionism). I get that there's all kinds of beauty and suffering and art... as there is with literally any other culture. Privileging one's background above all others might be psychologically necessary when you are being actively oppressed, but in all other contexts it should be seen as a bias to be compensated for
@@maxsimes I agree wholeheartedly, however being fully immersed in a culture from birth gives you a huge head start obviously, especially with your brain developing so much over that time. I think that's what he was referring to.
This might be my favorite video on RUclips. I keep coming back to it. The melancholy, the hope, the influences resonating through media to this day. You really outdid yourself with this one. Fantastic video
It must be something most Jewish people hear all the time but as a non-jew, I'm always astounded by how much of my media I come to find is of Jewish origin. Jacob, you continue to be one of my, if not my most, favorite content creators and a constant inspiration for my curiosity. Thank you so much for the amazing art that you create with this channel.❤️
a sure sign of being in a majority is not thinking of elements of the culture as "yours" how many times have people pointed out "oh this comedian? they're canadian!" by a canadian for example :) it's not a bad or good thing its just a funny side effect of how the psychology of it works
@@ToriKo_ Praxis is to put theory in to practice, in this case performing leftist action opposed to just reading theory. So instead of reading Marx, killing nazis.
Am I really going to watch a 40-minute documentary on a folktale from a religion that I'm not even a part of? Hell yeah, baby. It's a new Jacob Geller video.
This was my introduction to Geller and I can't wait to binge everything on this channel. This wasn't even in my feed, I just saw the responses to his comment on a Big Joel video and was curious.
As an American Jew raised by a Israeli mother who left the homeland because she hated the overwhelming Jewish culture, thank you for teaching a young Jew about the culture that I never learned, it helps me feel connected to my people.
"Neither would I be a Jew if I were not afraid." I personally refrain from using strong language but as an outsider looking in, that hits fucking hard.
This is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest things I've ever spent time watching, movies and TV included. Your style is so clean and informative and, as always, the way you weave together multiple, broad-reaching media texts without taking a breath is utterly stunning. But, not only are we treated to that, we're also treated to a story which, if you're non-Jewish like me, may have ended up completely escaping you had it not been brought to your attention. So thanks a lot, seriously. Your essay 'Who's Scared of Modern Art' is one I've rewatched a lot, and I will inevitably end up revisiting this too. Seriously mind-blowing stuff.
As someone who grew up catholic, the parallel to Adam is mind blowing. Just the idea that "yeah, our religious leaders can create life out of clay too, no biggie". It's a very interesting angle on creation and divinity.
@@rafief9266 There’s a lot of interesting word-play in the Old Testament. I’m not religious, but I have an Oxford study bible for these kinds of insights.
@EasterBurn What’s also super interesting is it’s not just Abrahamic religions, the mythology of a clay being given life is found all over the world from China, Inca, and some indigenous American tribes. Makes you think about what things ancient peoples thought were the most important materials.
Most Jewish stories of the Goilem has him as a mute. According to one of my rabbis in yeshiva, it is G-d alone who holds the keys to speech, and has given it exclusively to man. He allows men to create life out of clay, but not life capable of speech.
I'll be doing a full director's commentary for this on my patreon, where folks can ask me questions and hear behind-the-scenes info. Come hang! www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
woah
Ha Ha, my precious, like gollum
this is a really cool story. I like how well selfaware the golem is. He knows imidiatly his existance could become a problem and he is sad about becoming well basically dead. i kinda wanna give him a name (maybe truth but idk if thats disrespctful) since he feels like a Person.
Your beard looks really stupid man
Thank you for another great video!
Shoutout to the incredible tonal whiplash between "Who will tell us what God felt, looking at his Rabbi in Prague?" and "The golem really goes sicko mode."
The Duality of man
the way you don't miss a beat when your cat jumps next to you is incredible
It's almost like that cat is a trained actor or something. 🤔
@@imveryangryitsnotbutter pretty sure I saw them in a Peaky Blinders themed reimagining of Fiddler in the Roof, now that you mention it.
Then there's my dog that saunters between the camera and the subject, sits down, and farts.
Based Razbuten?!?!??
Da f@ck you doing here? 🤣 Love your gaming for a non-gamer videos!
Imagine witnessing a pile of clay being bestowed life and the first conscious thought it has is “you sure, bro?”
That shows that it is working. Let's see if the A.I.s say that.
I appreciate that this came from a fallen london poster.
Lets find out is also a pretty stellar response
Imagine taking its rib and saying, "this is finna be yer lady"
😂😂😂😂😂
The beginning of the Golem story is making me imagine a noir-style detective story with the Golem at the center. A huge clay man in a sweeping trench coat and a fedora with a glowing golden "emet" written on it, solving mysteries and punching Nazis.
OH THATS SO COOL
I feel like The Thing probably has a comic run like this
Probably the origin for the Joe Golem comics lol
that's literally just hellboy
Michael Chabon would.
"Father, was this wise to do?"
Frankenstein's monster liked this.
Chepetto looks at Pinocchio: yes it was...
Can relate
Tbf, one of the two stories was probably based on the other (or at least strongly influenced). The original Frankenstein is a book with heavily religious overtones, and the main message is one of "man shouldn't play with creation because that is only for god".
@@Tacklepig *_Google AI has entered the chat_*
Heh, thought the same. :D
i'm a religious studies scholar and genuinely wrote down "post-holocaust golem theology" to look into yesterday and was so excited to see this on my feed! what a wonderful breakdown of the history of the golem and it's implications and interpretations today. thanks again jacob!
Wallahi I would have loved to read that study!
That sound so cool! Could you link to a pdf when you submit your study?
Religious studies sounds so cool do you recommend *anything* you’ve been reading or watching lately??
I realize this sounds weird but oh well
@@josephharold808 unfortunately I haven't written anything on the topic myself! If I ever do though I'll try to remember to let y'all know
@@brig.gen.georgiiisserson7226 unfortunately I haven't written anything on the topic myself! If I ever do though I'll try to remember to let y'all know
Fun fact: you can stop a golem by removing the first letter of the word "emeth" written on its forehead, so the word "meth" is left and the golem gets arrested by the DEA
Unethical life tips
Medieval problems call for modern solutions 🤣🤣🤣
if you hold a mirror to the Golem, they'll see ThEME written on their forehead. Just like Perseus and the Medusa.
J E S S E
@@RadonX9 *SOMEONE WROTE THE WORD METH ON MY FOREHEAD JESSE*
The golem pleading to stay alive with the "I've done everything you've asked of me" just hit so hard and the book just expects you to move on after that page like ????? So powerful and so abrupt
Theres a part that Jacob doesnt narrate in the story that really makes me tear up
at 10:06
"Please!" Golem cried. "Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so... Precious... to me!" With that, he collapsed into clay.
I want to believe Rabbi Loew had to recite Kaddish, for he truly believed he had destroyed his own child...
Beautiful.
Dang, dude....
@@legion999hat is both profoundly beautiful and tragic. Yikes that’s definitely gonna leave a sore spot on my insides
Legit put a tear in my eye
I like to imagine that Geller couldn't get a take of reading that without choking up.
"Father will I remember this?" Holy hell dude, thanks for the existential crisis.
;_;
No, you will be clay
My heart....
Technically this will all happen to us, one day.
@@justalostlocal not even technically. Its just going to happen to every single one of us.
@@justalostlocal and I was like, "We know, but hey."
Theres something extremely surreal about the scene of the golem waking up, turning towards the rabi and immediately saying "father, was this wise to do?". I'm not sure why that hit me so hard, but it definitely did.
That was the most impacting scene for me.
tbh every single time someone decides to wake ME up, I greet them with something similar. except I guess a bit more sleep-slurred and along the lines of 'whwhatttefucccwhyd'youwakemeuppppp'
Kal El might not have "Truth" written on his brow, but "Hope" is written on his chest
The S stands for sHope
funny thing is Superman's symbol started meaning hope only in 2003 and it was done not by a Jewish dude
Isn't Superman himself, commonly through the emblem on his chest, often seen by the people of Metropolis as a symbol of *truth* and justice?
For anyone unaware and curious you should check out the channel Nerdsync’s video “Captain America punching nazis: why comics are always political” it’s about an hour long and he discusses more obviously but he spends a fair amount of time explaining how captain America was created by Jews during ww2 and he has a large A on his brow which stands for “TRUTH justice and the American way” and i think you can see where I’m going with that but he explains much more in depth i think anyone who enjoyed this video and Jacob’s content in general would also enjoy Nerdsync’s content
that's actually really beautiful thank you
The lines
“Father, was this wise to do?”
“We’ll find out!”
Remains immensely funny to me
My subconscious every time I make a decision...
"LOL" said the rabbi. "LMAO."
The original “Fuck around and find out”
@@darthplagueis13 My brain whenever I stay up late watching video essays
@@LuvzToLol21 “420 Blazin” said the rabbi “Yolo” said the golem
i cried for the golem story. "father, will i remember this?". heart wrenching
They did golem dirty
Me: *weeping*
Jacob: "This video was sponsored by skillshare . . ."
Me tooo XDXD
Yep, same
same
definitely same
Honestly? I think this was the most compelling ad read I've ever experienced. Not in terms of wanting to subscribe to skillshare, but just because the video dug so deeply into my soul that when he told me to pick up some clay I almost went out to my garden to pull clay from the soil so I could sculpt a little dude.
There's something so striking to me in the way the golem is naive and gentle, but also so profoundly aware of the weight its existence carries.
I love your profile picture. Oh my gaaawwwd!
I really like the golems in Terry Pratchett's Discworld. They are themselves persecuted, and create a meta-golem to protect them. They're also linked to language in interesting ways, animated by laws placed in their heads.
Another interesting note is that their Golem is essentially driven mad by the needs placed upon him, by the words upon words placed into his head that he could never fulfill.
I loved them as characters too. Especially Dorfl’s absolute morality when he “owns” himself, and their Golem Trust to buy their own people free.
@@UATU. “*WORDS IN THE HEART CANNOT BE TAKEN*”
I think it's also wonderful that golems that own themselves gain the power to speak, trapped mute beforehand. An example of Terry Pratchett's uncanny ability to literalise societal metaphor: An enslaved person is not free to speak.
Pokemon?
I don't know if this was intentional with the art style or if I'm just seeing things, but the smoke from the torches of the mob really resemble the lightning that animated the golem. Almost like pointing out people's hatred has animated something sinister inside of them.
I was thinking along similar lines when he mentioned the Golem growing larger as the mob approached. I thought there was a message coming about the Golem being the product of bitterness and anger, and thus fueled by that, though the Rabbi may not have been fully conscious of that while creating him.
problemecium Part of me presumed that the Golem was created from fear and thus grew in proportion to how much fear their creator felt.
@@UltimateKyuubiFox all of these sound like super valid and cool interpretations. :)
"The Jews in the story are just... Not having a good time"
This is one of ten lines I'd use to describe all of human history.
Me: they are the chosen people
My Jewish friend: Chosen for _what,_ though? Nothin good, I can tell you that!
They drew first blood though
You don’t mean that do you?
probably has something to do with the whole "we're God's chosen people and you aren't" thing
for some reason people react to that sorta talk with persecution, can't imagine why
No I mean the they drew first blood comment.
Picture this: I'm a Jewish writer and linguist, sitting at my desk wearing a Superman t-shirt. My friend sends me this video, and I start listening, thinking it'll be a nice, interesting podcast-esque thing to listen to while I send some emails. Thirty minutes later, I've sent no emails, and I'm crying at my desk. This video is everything I love most in the world, wrapped up into one beautiful package explaining why I love it so much. Thanks.
It's weird how he dislikes Superman but also likes the Golem myth like we should tell him Superman's Jewish right
@@anarchomando7707 Did you watch the whole video?
@@anarchomando7707 not even close. Try watching the video again
@@thomaspiskorski7324 I mixed up this guy and Josh geller I'm sorry.
very jewish comment
My father actually prayed in the Maharal's synagogue. He never did see the Golem (shocker, I know), but the attic indeed was off limits.
That's kinda smart, from a cultural perspective. You and your people are affected by rumors of witchcraft and murder? Spread a rumor that you have a giant murderer made out of witchcraft hiding in your religious space. Think they'll come seek it out? Spread a rumor that, actually, they already tried that and it didn't work. Generations later, the basic gist gets turned into a story with bits and pieces added for dramatic flair gradually til the original purpose was lost. Not an antisemitic creep or anything, just thinking out loud
@@donkoplays5734 "Not an antisemitic creep or anything, just thinking out loud" Nah, I didn't think so. I get the interest in the cultural analyzation.
that’s a lovely story! there’s also a local tale that a Nazi soldier attempted to enter the attic during the German purges, and died in the attempt, which was why the synagogue survived the war.
@@calebduarte5255 I've heard the story, though a slight variation where an officer sends several men up and they never come back down.
Anybody ever been to the attic?
Pretty sure there wont be any golem up therd but i wonder if theres something cool in there.... something that mightve inspired the myth.
“The golem really goes sicko mode”
-Jacob Geller, 2021
The Doom music kicked in.
@@DoctorPsyduck lmao😂
"Please!" Golem cried. "Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so . . . precious . . . to me!"
Why yes, I am actually crying. As someone who has struggled with wanting to be unalive, just reading the line 'life is so precious to me' really struck a nerve. Thank you for telling and filming and uploading this story!
I feel you. T_T
that was rough. Hope you're doing well.
I can't find the story now, I think the actual article was about something like solar power in Hawaii. The aside was about how the subject was a swimmer struck by a boat, and the propeller did some predictably horrific damage. But he got to shore and survived. The relevant quote is something like "I was overcome by how beautiful the world was, and how much I loved it and everyone in it."
AW YEAH SON, found the article. longreads.com/2017/08/08/hard-lessons-in-living-off-the-grid/
Here's the quote: “I wasn’t scared to die,” he wrote a month later from his hospital bed, “but I was sad to die. I realized how much I love our beautiful world and everyone that is a part of it … and I was sad that I’d only just noticed.”
same! that line just, strikes a chord in ya
I am LITERALLY 3 minutes into this but I feel a mighty need, as an art student who has done cut paper for some university assignments, to express how INSANE those illustrations are to me. Cut paper is HARD, even when you're working with relatively simplistic designs. The pieces shown here are complex illustrations full of little details, and they are beautifully done. I just really wanted to extend my appreciation here, since I can kind of imagine the painstaking hours that likely went into creating all of these.
Edit: Unrelated to anything I said before but man, of all the videos I've watched this was not the video I was expecting to suddenly hear my name in.
Soooo, South Park's style is actually very impressive, even if half of their jokes are okay and the rest are subpar and only funny because of the shock value?
@@cameronjadewallace Well, as someone who has never watched South Park, nor has an interest in watching it, and was not talking about it in this comment, I wouldn't know! Their animation style is clearly inspired by cut paper to some degree, but it's definitely done digitally. I was specifically talking about the book read in the video here, which also, iirc, never mentions South Park. I appreciate what you're getting at in this comment, but I think it would probably be more relevant elsewhere.
@@miriamelizabeth5548 good on ya. It's really not worth your time
Doesn't matter either way but I thought I'd throw it out there that South Park WAS cut paper in the beginning. However, it was overwhelmingly difficult keeping up with putting out a new episode every week using cut paperr, so they made the switch to digital. But yes, cut paper IS hard, super agree. I sort of stopped making art after getting a degree in it, but I used to love incorporating cut paper with gouache/watercolor illustrations and like... I feel that's a media that you can really only do on your own time and not professionally, with a time limit. I mean it's not obviously but I could never. I agree the illustrations are crazy impressive
coalish brimstone
Was he my teacher I'd never miss a class. I'd be both seduced by his speech and mesmerized by his beard.
And I accidentally made Shakespearean like poetry lol
@@nothanks6549 Shout out for Mr Hoshaw. Every kid needs a Mr Hoshaw.
He also looks like a super villain
I had a few of those teachers, but none of them were as cool as this guy.
This was amazing Jacob, thank you so much for this video.
I'm a guide at the Holocaust Museum in Curitiba (in Brazil), and a grandson of a Holocaust survivor. We focus a lot on telling personal and intimate stories of Holocaust victims and the last part of the video stroke a really important chord for me. It's been hard living in Brazil during Bolsonaro's government, and last week there were two instances of antisemitism from some important figures of his mandate, one of them being blood libel insinuations.
Anyway, I guess your video was really well timed and it's alway good to remember the power of our words and stories.
Chag Pesach Sameach to you!
Peraí, tem um museu do holocausto aqui no brazil? Legal.
Eu nunca entendi por que os crentes odeiam vcs judeus. Se bem que eu tambem nunca entendi por que eles odeiam gente como eu, que guarda as tradições Yorubá de meus ancestrais.
Não que eu seja melhor que eles. O ódio é algo que até eu sinto.
Brabo demais seu comentário, cara.
Força pra gente.
Don't forget the nazi dogwhistles, a few days ago an important figure did a supremacist hand gesture on camera for everyone to see
@@victor_silva6142 O Museu do Holocausto de Curitiba existe em homenagem às vítimas do Holocausto que encontraram um lar no Paraná e no Brasil. Muitos judeus vieram pra cá antes, durante e após a segunda guerra mundial pra encontrar refugio.
E a história doa antissemitismo é meio longa e complexa haha, mas muito de mitos antissemitas vem de ideias do cristianismo antigo, que foram só sendo repassados.
Se você tiver interesse em descobrir mais sobre o museu, a instituição tá em todas as redes sociais (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, RUclips e TikTok), vale a pena dar uma olhada, só pesquisar "Museu do Holocausto de Curitiba".
@@nicholasperes4355 Do you happen to know where, or maybe more accurately, how anti-semitism formed before Christianity? I've tried researching it and I end up to Greeks not liking that Jews didn't worship their Gods or something.
Jacob, this could be one of your most personal essays so far and it is undeniably beautiful. That will be my first proper introduction to Jewish folklore and I am grateful for that. I also realized how transcultural the notion of Golem is. Starting as a Jewish folk story, it blended into modern and postmodern narratives. Take for instance, Golem city from Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. I never realized the parallels, but it is falling into place now: marginalized people in the ghetto, animated (augmented) matter made alive, a tall protector figure (Marchenko). The story, among other things, is mostly set in Prague
Ditto this 👏👏👏
Wow, props to your observations about Mankind Divided. Going to play this soon and I'm glad I now have this perspective...
Wow, that's deep. The whole game feels like it was written by a 12-year old. The writers were like "We'll name the ghetto Golem City, because it's set in Prague, that's so clever. And we'll put R.U.R. book in the game, because it is about augmented people, wow, we're so smart. Everyone will see we have done our research." I'm surprised there isn't a bug somewhere referencing to Kafka. There probably is and I just forgot about it.
I’m Jewish. I grew up with the story of the golem, told to me by my dad, who has a tiny figurine of one hanging on a leather cord from a lamp, with a Jewish star on the other end. I remember playing Minecraft for the first time and getting so excited to see golems in the game, protecting people like they’re meant to. After watching this video, I showed it to my dad and ever time I see this video, I feel very strong emotions. This story means so much to me, ever since I was a little kid. Thank you so much for making this video.
May Lord Jesus bless you friend
@@wordywizard4786 You... you do realize that that person is Jewish, right? That Jesus is not the physical embodiment of God to Jewish people?
@@fishworshipper It's an expression of support.
@@esttrox5881 What might seem to be an expression of support in some contexts is absolutely not in others. This is "others".
Edit: A respectful way to express support would have been to replace "Jesus" with "God". Christianity has a substantial history of being extremely unkind to the Jews - to "express support" using Christian-specific terminology is, at best, proselytizing, not supporting.
@@wordywizard4786 😭
This was such a beautiful video.
Growing up in England there isn't much education on Jewish tradition, and I would say even less knowledge of it in the zeitgeist, and resources like this are such a fantastic way to spread that information.
I hope you had a good Passover.
Passover is still going on! It lasts 8 days, and started Saturday night. The first two nights we have fancy dinners, called "Seders", but the holiday is the whole week.
Yeah ngl the mythology/stories/idk what it’s called of Jewish history is incredibly cool
"There's one in Pokemon but that one probably doesn't count."
- Anyone want to tell this man about Golurk? It's a ghost/ground type fashioned out of clay. "When the seal on its chest is removed it rages indiscriminately, turning the whole town around it into a mountain of rubble."
glad I ctrl+f'd to make sure someone had brought this up!
There's also the Regi's. Fashioned from natural materials with writing on it. They were likely also inspired by the Golem.
Claydol is also sort of a Golem reference
Jacob Geller continues to be one of my favorite creators, not only on RUclips, but at large. Wonderful video. ❤️
same just dude he must read my mental favoiret stuff list
As a non-Jewish person, I absolutely love whenever you talk about your experiences as a Jew. It’s so refreshing to see someone so enthusiastic about anything, and willing to talk about it at length, because anybody can see that you really care! You really care about what you say and it is wonderful to hear.
That’s pretty cool, if the golem is supposed to be a metaphor for literature and the written word, then it acting as a detective, debunking false ideas and then being able to be used to cause violence is really thematically sophisticated and is in my opinion really cool.
I'm not sure all incarnations are a metaphor for literature/art but certainly many do work well like that.
And if it's rooted in kabbalah, then language is the mid point between material reality and God (at least as far as I understand it)
“Sure Superman doesn’t have truth written on his head, but he might as well” And he practically has it on his chest
...Truth doesn’t start with an “S.”
@@kgpspyguy The symbol on his chest is not an "S" but Kryptonian for truth
@@Anans1_Spyd3r I think It's a joke from Pete Holm's Badman shorts that are basically Batman but as dumb and crass as a spoiled rich kid would be. In one Superman wants to team up but all Batman does is make fun of him and insult him.
"This coming from the guy who has to write his initial on his shirt."
"It's not my initial, it stands for hope"
"Hope doesn't start with an S idiot"
My favorite line being.
"So which Newsie did you base Clark Kent on? I'm getting a strong Crutchie vibe."
@@Anans1_Spyd3r The "S" is sometimes defined as Kryptonian for hope or the sigil of the House of El (El being defined as "Star"). I've never seen it defined as truth...but I also haven't read every Superman comic.
@@joncarroll2040 i think that's almost more pertinent. the golem of the story has "truth" written on his head because that was his purpose, to find the truth of who was murdering people to protect his community. Superman's S means "hope" and designates *his* purpose, something he can provide to protect. something i'm sure can seem in low supply to modern Jewish folks
"Father, will I remember this?"
*dramatic violins swell*
me: tears welling out of the corners of my eyes
“The Golem really goes sicko mode” now this is the kind of literature analysis that I can get behind
28:08 Pokemon actually does have a parallel to the Golem, just... not the Pokemon named Golem, strangely. The Pokemon Golurk is described by the Pokedex as having been "ordered to protect people and Pokémon by the ancient people who made them."
Another example of the golem in pokemon are the Legendary Titans of Hoenn. Especially with their connection to the braille writing system, as well as how each of them is reflective of a point in human history
@@eldritchexploited5462 Wait they are?! Please elaborate!
@@empoleonmaster6709 mhm! For the braille part, in their original region of Hoenn, it was a braille puzzle that allowed you to access them. in terms of the human eras, Regice is the ice age, Regirock is the stone age, Registeel is the iron age, Regieleki is the modern/electric age, and Regidrago is less sure but it could be the Middle Ages
@@rhymespace6740 Oh I didn't think about those! I thought you meant Kyogre and Groudon, not the Regis. What does Regigigas represent?
@@empoleonmaster6709 Regigigas doesn’t have one I believe since it’s the trio master but it is arguably the most based on the Golem based on its sealing
jacob: im going to read to you from a storybook
me, 22 year old college graduate: oh HELL yeah storytime
And I'm 29 years old, was excited like a kid!
NEVER too old for storytime.
35 and all I want is a cuddle and a story. Pizza too.
Think if I say I'm 39 (I am), that we'll eventually get just continually older people responding?
Also, so much love for the wholesomeness of this chat + the video.
22 y/o graduate student here reppin
Hi Jacob, I doubt you'll see this, as I'm coming to this so late, but I wanted to tell you how much this video means to me. I've shared it far and wide because I truly love it so much.
I'm an indigenous Chamoru of Guahån, and the whole idea of creating art that preserves a people deeply resonated with me. I am eternally grateful for your perspective on this, and since this video has released, I've worked that idea into my actions every day when I share the art and culture of my people.
Sångan i guaguan(speak what is valuable), yan Saina ma'åse ( and the elder is merciful (how we say thank you in Guahån))
Hello fellow American, I wanna visit Guam one day. I just found out we don't need passports to travel to US Territories
It’s so rare to find another Chamoru person on the internet. Hafa adai! I really hope that you can continue to preserve our culture through your art and maybe even allow it to grow.
@@illeagle9560 the USA occupy guam without any consent -- i can't speak for those who aren't me but please don't think of places like guam or hawai'i as solely travel destinations
@@judgerussell2331 I'm not the traveling type, I like looking into the history of different places. I love Guam, and wish the country had the full rights of a state while maintaining it's current government
@@judgerussell2331 Samoa, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands as well
“The Jews are straight up not having a good time” and “bad vibes on the horizon” was amazing, thank you
Thank you for this beautiful video. My grandfather was a survivor, and I hate to say but my family is Jewish in lineage and name alone. I’m starting the process of reclaiming my Judaism (the last time I was in a synagogue was my Bat Mitzvah) and this video is just another piece of encouragement to learn more about our beautiful culture and traditions. Thank you, Jacob.
Am Yisrael Chai.
my great great aunts were survivors and i’m still feeling the ripples. you’re not alone.
"Pokemon has a Golem, I don't really think that one counts"
This is Golurk erasure and I won't stand for it
Golurk and the Regis
I will not let this disrespect of my favorite giant stone robots slide.
I'm glad someone said it.
And Claydol
Golurk even has the Ground/Ghost typing, which in hindsight is kinda tragic
The Iron Giant really becomes even more golem-like when you view Superman as a golem as well. A golem inspired by a golem inspired by *the* golem
Dude, the meta hit me hard after watching that Iron Giant scene again, I remembered when my father told me the ending of his favorite show as a kid, when Giant Robot (also the name of the show) sacrificed itself to destroy an asteroid to save the Earth, also like Superman does at the end of the All Star Superman comic (well, he flies away to fix the sun) to save us all.
Good stuff.
"The Golem goes around and kills a bunch of Nazis --- praxis!"
Beautiful.
"That concludes our storytime. Now, I think we have some birthdays today? Ari, Miriam-" SORRY YOU JUST SHOT MY BUTT BACK INTO HEBREW SCHOOL SO FAST I HAVE WHIPLASH FROM THE TALITOT HITTING MY FACEEEE
I’m not Jewish, but I’m Indian, and that was some fucking reverse aging holy shit.
RIGHT I HAD A VISCERAL REACTION
@@miriambloom2923 lol. having the same name as the fictional character is always jarring
"Who will tell us the things God felt, when looking at his rabbi in Prague?" now that is some damn effecting poetry, that line gave me pause like few other things have.
Never in my life have I sat through a 40 minute video from a creator I've never heard of before and been absolutely unable to tear myself away from the screen. This was captivating.
I'd recommend this man's entire channel. It's all this good.
That's just How Jacob Is. You watch one video, and then suddenly you're rummaging through the whole channel for more
All of it is this good. PLEASE watch Fear of Depths, the haunted house one, Infinity, and the one on Ape Out
@@XerxesTexasToast
My favorites are honestly between Artificial Loneliness, and The Meaning of Ugly Games.
Jacob Geller has created some of my favorite videos on all of RUclips. I highly recommend checking out some of his other stuff
"Father was always happy, or at least he seemed to be. I really loved my father."
So much said in so few words. That broke me.
Edit: corrected quote.
I did actually go home and tell the story of the golem. My son is into Minecraft and he loves summoning golems. It's pretty cool they protect the villagers. Thanks for making this Jacob. It was quite beautoful to watch.
@Cornerdisc5504 maybe? Not sure
@Cornerdisc5504 Probably not specifically a reference to the original Jewish golem, as this has been in different cultures across the world for quite a long time. I remember there's a "chinese goddess of nature that make little clay humans who dies protecting them and became the forests we live in" that's also been around for long. Giants or golems that exist for were created for the sole reason for protection is a premise that seems to reoccur over and over again, though usually "we" are meant to overcome them to "get to the treasure" or something like that. But it's cool to see the possible origins and learning about other cultural significant figures. :D
"'Father, was this wise to do?' which were incidentally my first words" HAHAHA
I love how he’s literally telling us a bedtime story
if been using him as a bedtime story teller for a while now so this is great
Something about this man's story telling exudes calm yet warm, welcoming intelligence even when dealing with heavy subjects. Perfect for winding down.
Jacob Geller The Story Teller. It was meant to be.
My favorite bedtime story, Big dirt man protects minorities from false accusations.
No matter what age we are, we all need a bedtime story.
I love the idea of you popping out the womb, deadpan asking your dad if this was a good idea, and him nonchalantly throwing up his hands saying, "We'll find out."
the idea that the story is the golem, molded and shaped to protect its people, is so clear but so profound. brb gonna start crying again
"Ask 3 rabbis a question get 4 different answers" -- my jewish studies instructor
Late, but this quote is interesting to me. I believe it is supposed to reference how every rabbi, would have different insights to the point that one of them has a second opinion, but the other interpretation is that all the rabbis have the same underlying message, but express them differently.
@@diserna98 I read it as the 3 rabbis giving you an answer and then the last is the answer you make of what you hear so your own answer.
@@diserna98 the quote I’ve always heard was “2 Jews, 3 opinions”. That one has a message that the discussion between people changes their opinions into something new and hopefully better than what they had each come up with on their own. I like that meaning :)
You could say the same about Catholic Priests. I grew up Catholic and I never got the same answer about anything from anyone.
"Bad vibes are on the horizon for the Jews" sums up all of Jewish history.
@@ileutur6863 I'm glad you're interested. It is a very difficult subject to research, because any actual documentation is usually passed within Jewish communities, or is, like you said, some sort of racist conspiracy theory. The short and simple is: there's no real reason other than that they were there, and they were different, so it was easy to pin all the issues on them, especially during times where superstition was science.
@@ileutur6863 Probably because two of the major abrahamic religions actively condemns them, and they are not the majority in but one of the countries in the world and thus quite easy to pick on? And the way they wanted to persevere was kind of an exclusive covenant which makes it harder for them to actively sought solidarity from other groups?
@@kseriousr it is odd how christianity doesnt like them (unless they are political shills like Shaprio) even though christianity wouldn't exist without Judaism.
@@ileutur6863 If you want a one sentence explanation, it basically boils down to this: The Jews have been without a land of their own for the majority of history - a land where _they_ are the ruling class and the majority population at the same time. As such, they're always living _under_ - living as _The Other_ - and historical cultures love to hate and fear an Other.
@@Aging_Casually_Late_Gamer Probably have to do with how christians are taught that Jesus was rejected by them despite all the 'evidences',
. It's kind of funny that Muslims hate the christians claiming the same reason. Nothing divides us more than religious indoctrination.
I’m a Jewish person who didn’t grow up religious and I’ve been trying to understand my culture more and this was really beautiful, your analysis and narration voice is wonderful
I grew up in a Romanian, Christian-Orthodox family, but Jewish culture always seemed beautiful and incredibly interesting to learn about. Your channel is amazing by itself, but the little glimpses into Jewish folklore you’ve shared with us have been eye-opening and inspiring in a way that’s hard for me to explain. So all I’m left with is gratitude. Thank you, Jacob.
Coming from a Christian family with an emphasis on keeping the faith as rooted in Judaism as it actually is, my (immediate) family has always tried to attend congregations in which the pastors were Jewish, Greek, or had close relations and studied with Rabbis. Though I’m a skeptic, the culture, belief system, and how it flows into Christianity are really interesting.
@@toakovika if you love judaism why dont you marry it.
I feel like every time we see Jacobs face his beard has grown up further on his cheeks. One day his beard and hair line will join and he will gain the strength of Samson.
First of all, you need to give no care to your beard for 3 years for that to have a chance of happening, second of all, you have to isolate yourself and practice a lot of prayer for you to be able to get the strength of Samson (or according to some any other singuler superhuman trait)
I love that beard. It looks so fake and all I want to know is if the texture is more like a fur coat or a coir doormat.
I guess his bread is trying to migrate further north on his face?
@@mozesmarcus6786 man shut up
Is this what going too far with hair transplantation gone too far looks like. Is it too much ghetto barbershop dye. What is it about it it looks so disturbing
As a broke college boy, I'm so grateful for everyone who supports Jacob on patreon. I know money isn't everything, but I'm so glad he can make these beautiful essays without worrying about income or job security.
That Wiesel line about his father would sound innocuous coming from anyone else, but having read Night and knowing about how he lost his father in the Holocaust, that line hits like a truck
When you spoke about the final story and it's importance surrounding the holocaust I could see the emotions pouring out of every word you spoke. I'm not Jewish and I know the horrors they endured but it hits different when you can feel the pain through a phrase that doesn't mention the horrors directly. I'm continually impressed by the structure and depth of every word spoken in these videos. I was never one for literature or art. But I'm glad I'm here
i got linked to this video by a friend, and as a jewish nerd, it's one of the most beautiful, well-thought, unabashedly jewish videos i've ever seen, and i definitely shed a tear at the end. you put what makes the golem story so powerful into words, and i appreciate it!
The way the Hebrew came back to me so I could sing happy birthday after not having heard it for like half a decade made me feel like a little Jewish sleeper agent
lmao
@@sydssolanumsamsys imagine how media and banking CEOs feel when they insist that none of those companies are jewish.
@@Benyamean what?
@@sydssolanumsamsys lol i meant to reply to the other dude
@@Benyamean ok
For those interested in a more modern fantasy take on the golem, may I humbly offer "The Golem and the Jinni." It's a really great story about Chava the golem (incidentally, Golems are by default masculine, so it's interesting to see a female one) and Ahmad the jinni living in the jewish and syrian immigrant communities respectively. Also, the kabbalah magic system isn't just occult bs, so that's nice.
This book is one of the few romances i actually like!! A sequel came out last year (?), i'm really excited to read it!
Sounds super interesting, thanks for the rec!
Chavaleh.
Superman doesn't have truth written on his forehead, but he does have hope written on his chest.
Or an S, but that's up to interpretation
How do I stop crying
S for hope started with Mark Waid in 2004, and S in general being Kryptonian glyph instead of just an English letter started with Donner's Superman The Movie (because Marlon wanted to wear S symbol too, but also originally that was meant to be sign for entire planet in Puzo script)
@@Vi_Loves_Yakuza Birthright
Hope doesn’t start with an “S”...
I'm not Jewish but the line "I miss my father" killed me with context
This story isn't about being jewish it's about to souls and a good heart.
I myself am Jewish I only recently started to learn more about this topic, and it broke my heart aswell
I live and work in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Its an Orthodox Jewish community.(yes....that Jewish community in Pittsburgh. It happened just a few blocks from where I sit right now) Alot of my regulars are Jewish ....so after watching this you've given me a great way to connect with a people I don't know too much about. What I do know is that they are all very nice and accepting people. The kosher deli employs many Islamic refugees and everyone gets along. Knowing their history a little better goes to show just how forgiving they are.... they've had it rough yet they still manage to be inclusive to every culture that's mixed in the neighborhood.
I am truly grateful that I live in such a great little town. I highly recommend you come here if you ever visit Pittsburgh!
Visit Pittsburgh for Anthrocon. The city goes all our for us. (Furries but probably also Jews, of which I am both.)
I love going to Squirrel Hill. The architecture is wonderful and the area looks beautiful in the fall. There are so many family owned businesses too.
The people are the people no matter where. Always have been. If you're not scared of your own shadow it's amazing how much we all have in common & what we can accomplish.
Problem is those sleazy politicians are forever inserting themselves.
Love my country and it's people.
Hate my Government and its sleazy politicians
The community that's been fostered within Pittsburgh, between various minority groups as well as non minorities, feels almost protective. Despite the hatred imbued within America, and what has inevitably bled into Pittsburgh, out community has really been a powerful source of acceptance and stability. It's flawed but I wouldn't ask for anywhere else.
@@sci7zo why do Jews believe
this is the first youtube video to move me to tears, and i'm not even jewish. this is a beautifully written loveletter to your culture and i'm so glad it exists
Despite being matrilineally Jewish, I was raised areligious, so I know very little about Jewish folklore - this was really interesting.
Yours continues to be one of my favorite channels on YT. Excellent video as always.
Funnily, I’m kinda the opposite. I am not matrilineally Jewish (my father is Jewish, my mother is Catholic), but I was raised as a Jew. Still don’t know that much Jewish folklore though...
I have the same situation, my parents wanted to let me grow up enough to make my own decisions before teaching me. By time they decided I was ready, I was too old to think religous stories made sense. Only folklore I knew was from my very Jewish extended family.
I'm actually the exact same.
@@BirdMoose Maybe you wouldn’t have changed your mind if you were younger. I was about five when I was getting taught religion, yet, at that age, I found the whole thing unrealistic and illogical; the religion’s story was more akin to fairy tales than historical events. I still feel that way. I think growing up with a religion can influence you, but if you have the power to think for yourself anyway, you can become irreligious.
@@papasscooperiaworker3649 Totally, my point was simply my parents didn't want to force religion upon me. Plenty of people raised religious don't believe it though. (And in all fairness some people not raised religious find faith.)
I just wanted to let you know that my son and I both have Jewish heritage. He sent me this link because he loved the way you told this story. Thank you.
“Most people can’t bring clay to life”
Well..... yeah. Until the wizards at Aardman Animations tell us their secrets, of course.
Gromit is a golem
@@JacobGeller that is a hot take I was not prepared for but has immensely and immediately improved my quality of life
“Superheroes aren’t literally made out of clay”
*grumbles in Wonder Woman*
Also Ben Grimm has the award for least mute Golem of all time.
@@JacobGeller ‘gromit lad, it’s the wrong forehead symbol!’
Is Frosty the Snowman a sort of golem? Brought to life by children with a magical hat, helps guide them through the city, celebrating with them, only to go away when the winter is over.
I love when dad reads stories and makes sure we all see the pictures
Something just warmed my heart when he said that. If you can see this, thanks for letting us all see the pictures, Jacob!
"...I loved my father." Hit home, I remember reading Night in a single session. It was as if I could not put it down, for fear that I might forget.
I haven’t read Night in nearly a decade, but it’s stuck with me so much that line punched me right in the chest.
I would really, really love to see you cover more Jewish folklore.
Agreed! Its a personable and accesible way to connect to my jewish family and their history in a way i struggle to since papa passed.
Ta! Yes!
yes! i’m a quarter jewish but i wasn’t raised in the faith, nor am i pursuing it now, but i love the culture aspect of it and i’d love to learn more.
@@kieran163 haha, hi Kieran! I'm also a quarter Jew and I agree!
Yeah he should read parts of the Talmud that talk about breaking the spines of gentile babies. I'm half Jewish btw.
Damn! this video brought me to tears. I’m not Jewish, but the desire to be free from oppression and suffering is one that may people can understand. What a powerful story. And a powerful myth. And the part about our art acting as our protector, it’s making me cry just typing this! Sometimes as a trans woman making art feels like the only thing I can do to be protected. Thank you for this video! This is the second time I’ve had tears running down my face after one of ur essays 😂. The first being “to translate a forest”.
Nice to see another trans woman in these comments! I'm in the same boat, crying included lol.
I'm a Vietnamese and as I sat through this video, I couldn't help thinking about the similarities between the Golem and Thánh Gióng (Saint Giong), a figure in Vietnamese folklore.
The story of Saint Giong took place when the king was looking for soldiers to help fight back invaders. Saint Giong, who was a kid that could not speak at the time, suddenly started speaking when the king's men arrived at his house. Giong then told the men to report back to the king, and tell him to prepare the kind of sword, armor and horse that only a giant can use. The men did what he asked, and over the next few days Giong grew up rapidly. The entire village prepared food and clothing for him, but they had to desperately keep up. Eventually Giong grew into a giant man, and the king's men arrived with what he asked for. Saint Giong donned his armor, mounted the giant steel horse and rode into the battle against the invaders with his giant sword. It was, of course, a victory for Giong and when the fighting was over, Saint Giong went atop a mountain and flew away.
There's the giant fighting against an enemy of the people, and there's the same giant becoming... gone, for a lack of better terms. The theme of protection, though, I think is less prevalent than in the Golem lore, perhaps because Saint Giong didn't do any detective work to dispel any untruths about the Vietnamese people, but instead he fought against an enemy that was already marching towards our doorsteps. Still, I'd like to think that theme is still there in the story.
I don't think the story of Saint Giong inspired the Golem, nor do I think it's the other way around (at least, I don't have any evidence or link that support either statements). But to me it's amazing how Saint Giong and the Golem, while they are intrinsically different characters, resemble each other in some ways, and all because of our need for comfort in dark chapters of history. (To oversimplify, Vietnam basically spent a thousand years being oppressed by Chinese invaders.)
the golem is probably is an archytipal story past down through out all of humanity much like how you can find drangons in europien mythology and aztek mythology although there has been no contact between them
I love how there was just a steel horse
@@DoctorSlop the only kind that can support a giant!
Imagine if Saint Giong's primary intended purporse was to hunt down any Chinese who said that the Vietnamese ate Chinese babies. That's it: no steel horse, no epic battle, just killing those Chinese slanderers. Oppressive rule? Whatever, just don't say any lies about us.
That would be weird. In fact, I would start to wonder if maybe those Vietnamese hadn't been eating the occasional Chinese baby. Sure seems like a sensitive subject.
Its probably because size is seen as power and strength. Perhaps there was a great warrior and leader who inspired amazing feats in battle to win the unwinnable. Or a strategist who planned a defence people couldnt imagine but it worked. Or simply a big man cursed with gigantism, who beat back the invaders but then died still young because of his gigantism. I doubt myths like these are simply made up. They probably come to describe the undescribable.
I can't help noticing that in English, removing a letter from 'Life' become 'Lie' - the opposite of how 'Truth' becomes 'Death' in Hebrew
I have no conclusion but this is a thing that happens
language is fun
multilingual kabbalah lol
This actually happens in the knock-off story of the Goylem.
hebrew works a little differently, every word has a 3 letter "root" which doesnt change in other versions of the word... for example in life you have live lived alive but the hebrew truth you have the root אמת which is contained in אמיתי אימות for example,
hebrew also uses letters for a lot of things, there are hebrew numbering systems using the letters like roman numerals (slightly differently) and not ALL words have a 3 letter root, like "מת" specifically but also a lot of newer words have 4 letter or longer roots, especially words borrowed from other languages like for computers or things that didnt exist in the bible :)
english structure is just as interesting but the word play works differently because english encodes other languages into its spelling, like how you can tell some words come from french and some from spanish originally just by seeing them.
@@JudgeHoldem HELPHELPHELP “GOYLEM” IS THE FUNNIEST THING IVE HEARD ALL DAYYYY
I'm ten minutes in, and that children's rendition of the Golem story was hauntingly beautiful.
"The Golem's agency is not usually so highlighted."
It _hurts_ to watch the Rabbi kill him here.
I agree.
I paused on that page to see the dialogue and I started tearing up, not gonna lie
@@endgameExecutor I also paused to read. It is quite heartbreaking. He still wanted to live. T_T
Hi Mr. Jacob Geller!! I hoped to send you an email but could not find one so i will type here! I am a high school senior who is taking a civics class and has been asked to write about an issue important to me. i have chosen antisemitism. i talk a lot about the phenomenon of the jewish superhero in this essay, about the torah and the golem and fear. i frequently rewatch this essay, its a big comfort for me- i even showed it to my rabbi (she loved it)!!! rest assured, this video will be on my works cited page. thank you for your inspiration!!!!
As a Hebrew school teacher, words do not even begin to describe how deeply this video resonated with me and how much I appreciate your content.
Superman may not have “Truth” written across his head, but he does have “Hope” written across his chest. I don’t know if that means anything but I found it interesting.
Damn that's actually awesome
his story is supposedly based off of moses floating down the river nile if u wanna make more jewish? connections
The fact that he's a Jewish creation makes all the Jesus allegory with him nowadays even weirder
@@James11111 Wasn't Jesus Jewish? At least, as an ethnicity (of course correct me if I'm wrong). Jesus wasn't against Jews, He was against the greed of the people that they had at the time, it could have been Greeks or Egyptians and it wouldn't have been any different, wether you believe Jesus is the Messiah or not both Moses and Jesus have a lot in common in their story while their motives and things like that are obviously different. Of course this is my opinion I'm not hating on anyone for having a different opinion.
@@CourtesyOfPatron See you're right, but you're just missing the point and overthinking things.
I'm merely noticing the irony in giving Jesus symbolism (most notable in recent DCCU movies) to a character made by jews. That's all.
"and we miss him, the golem" actually had me sobbing. how do you do this to me Jacob?
The world is full of bad things right now. I just discovered your videos and found them not only very well done, but also cozy, comfortable. They're a place to be safe, to shelter myself from the horrors of the world; but its not numbing. Its not just white noise, its educational. It keeps my brain doing gymnastics and keeping it curious. Thank you so much for this.
I really love how when text appears on screen, instead of having the words just transposed over the screen you got them at that cool angle where they look like they’re physically on the wall behind you. Idk it’s just a really neat effect
Thank you!
It really is a neat effect. 😊
The fucking transition to the birthday song after jacob finished the book got me so bad, like I was laughing incredibly hard, but like, good memories man
I cried at the end of this. Our small family was the only group of our extended family to survive Auschwitz, and we had to hide our Judaism to survive. It's so disconnected now, just a vague hand-me-down memory of a lost culture. Thank you for helping me connect with it
Same! Our great grandmother converted, and reclaiming everything the last few years has been very difficult. There's some really good reading lists online to get started!
Wow, that must be hard.
Sending you lots of love. I hope you can reconnect with what was taken from you.
I’m in the same boat as you, friend. Jacob’s content has been very helpful when it comes to analyzing certain concepts.
I figured out, about 3 years ago, that my mom's side of the family are Greek Jewish.
I rewatch this video something like every four months since it came out. "And we miss him. The Golem. More than ever we need his presence"
I don't understand how you are so prolific yet so damn consistently wonderful. Seriously, this is an incredible piece of work
same he is just a piece kf perfection with so much relateablility
as a jew your channel has always been extremely striking and all of your work is incredible. you’re one of the only content creators i can think of (whose primary focus isn’t jewish content) that is unabashedly proud of their jewish identity and its really amazing to see. also the okami soundtrack is so good and i was super jazzed to hear it
Do they call female jews yenta? Or shiksa?
@@iwannabethekid34xc usually we just call them by their names
@@iwannabethekid34xc No, and I don’t know where you read that we do. Here’s the actual etymology, if you’re interested.
“Yente” is a Yiddish given female name (meaning nobile/upstanding), and is also the name of a character in Fiddler on the Roof. The character’s existence led to a misconception that female matchmakers were all called Yente, but that’s....literally just the character’s name. It’s like watching “Hamlet” and going “gee, this Hamlet guy is a prince, therefore Hamlet means the same thing as prince. I wonder how Hamlet William’s doing?”
“Shiksa” is kind of an inside joke that used to be a pejorative, but isn’t really anymore. It means “non-Jewish girl” or “non-observant girl,” but the whole joke is about them being attractive.
As for what we call Jewish women? We call them their names, like the commenter above me said.
Not a jew, but interesting af
On the alternative side, I find his videos a refreshing insight into Jewish culture and perhaps modern Jewish identity? I don't often come across that in my world and like you said it's nice to see someone take pride in it. Honestly I could listen to Jacob talk about anything, but the sophistication he brings to his videos and topics always has me delighted.
I cannot express how honored I feel to be able to experience this essay. Being non-Jewish, I can never truly grasp the immense beauty and sorrow that permeates Jewish culture and history. But I think you managed to capture some of that in this video, and did it so well that even someone like me can know the slightest glimmer of it. Thank you for sharing, Jacob. This was wonderful as always.
But this has nothing to do with you being jewish or not. Even if you are a jew that doesnt mean that you can automatically "grasp the immense beauty and sorrow that permeates jewish culture and history." It takes a great deal of effort, and most people including jews dont bother
@@maxsimes I'm a bit leery of these essentialist takes. I was raised Orthodox Jewish and left that religion. I'm incredibly bitter and jaded about the Jewish religion's inextricable xenophobia and various other bigotries, and I think religious Zionism makes us collectively less safe (which really defeats the original purposes of Zionism). I get that there's all kinds of beauty and suffering and art... as there is with literally any other culture. Privileging one's background above all others might be psychologically necessary when you are being actively oppressed, but in all other contexts it should be seen as a bias to be compensated for
@@InverseAgonist im not sure if i understand you right. What do you disagree on concerning my comment? I actually agree with what you wrote 100%
@@maxsimes I agree wholeheartedly, however being fully immersed in a culture from birth gives you a huge head start obviously, especially with your brain developing so much over that time. I think that's what he was referring to.
@@InverseAgonist one of them good ones
This might be my favorite video on RUclips. I keep coming back to it. The melancholy, the hope, the influences resonating through media to this day. You really outdid yourself with this one. Fantastic video
It must be something most Jewish people hear all the time but as a non-jew, I'm always astounded by how much of my media I come to find is of Jewish origin. Jacob, you continue to be one of my, if not my most, favorite content creators and a constant inspiration for my curiosity. Thank you so much for the amazing art that you create with this channel.❤️
a sure sign of being in a majority is not thinking of elements of the culture as "yours" how many times have people pointed out "oh this comedian? they're canadian!" by a canadian for example :) it's not a bad or good thing its just a funny side effect of how the psychology of it works
They control what you think
Politic is downstream from culture
The biography _An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood_ is a good read about how American Jews gained prominence in media.
@@billgoode Thank you for the recomendation!
@@huanquocmanh416 Jesus fuck, read the room, bobble head.
"Kills a bunch of nazis - praxis - "has to be my favorite line I've ever heard on this channel
What does that mean?
@@ToriKo_ Praxis is to put theory in to practice, in this case performing leftist action opposed to just reading theory. So instead of reading Marx, killing nazis.
@@10midgits74 killing nazis is not exclusively leftist.
@@postindustrial76 it inevitably ends being
@@abacate4492 ends being what?
Am I really going to watch a 40-minute documentary on a folktale from a religion that I'm not even a part of? Hell yeah, baby. It's a new Jacob Geller video.
I can’t be bothered to watch any 40 minute RUclips video **unless** it’s Jacob Geller.
This was my introduction to Geller and I can't wait to binge everything on this channel. This wasn't even in my feed, I just saw the responses to his comment on a Big Joel video and was curious.
@@carolyntalbot947 I highly recommend "The Last Great Secret" and "Fear of Depths."
@@realkingofantarctica my personal favorites are the ones on architecture, and the haunted house
Learning about religion is always good! It's an important part of humanity and really, really interesting.
As an American Jew raised by a Israeli mother who left the homeland because she hated the overwhelming Jewish culture, thank you for teaching a young Jew about the culture that I never learned, it helps me feel connected to my people.
"Neither would I be a Jew if I were not afraid."
I personally refrain from using strong language but as an outsider looking in, that hits fucking hard.
So they're all just scaredy cats?
@@unsureprobablymaybe3527 try living in persecution for centuries. Maybe you'd understand
@@tedstudt8550 maybe they should actually fight in wars instead of making America do its dirty work tbh
@@unsureprobablymaybe3527 how much can you benchpress
@@abdulla10955 probably more than a certain group of scaredy cats can
This is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest things I've ever spent time watching, movies and TV included. Your style is so clean and informative and, as always, the way you weave together multiple, broad-reaching media texts without taking a breath is utterly stunning. But, not only are we treated to that, we're also treated to a story which, if you're non-Jewish like me, may have ended up completely escaping you had it not been brought to your attention. So thanks a lot, seriously. Your essay 'Who's Scared of Modern Art' is one I've rewatched a lot, and I will inevitably end up revisiting this too. Seriously mind-blowing stuff.
As someone who grew up catholic, the parallel to Adam is mind blowing. Just the idea that "yeah, our religious leaders can create life out of clay too, no biggie". It's a very interesting angle on creation and divinity.
For some bonus linguistic fun, the word "adamah" in hebrew translates to "earth"
@@rafief9266 There’s a lot of interesting word-play in the Old Testament. I’m not religious, but I have an Oxford study bible for these kinds of insights.
@EasterBurn What’s also super interesting is it’s not just Abrahamic religions, the mythology of a clay being given life is found all over the world from China, Inca, and some indigenous American tribes. Makes you think about what things ancient peoples thought were the most important materials.
Most Jewish stories of the Goilem has him as a mute. According to one of my rabbis in yeshiva, it is G-d alone who holds the keys to speech, and has given it exclusively to man. He allows men to create life out of clay, but not life capable of speech.
@@brobruh7850 many religions also feature God singing. Speaking and dancing creation into existence