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A Postage Stamp for Golem Inventor

Though Czech P.O. says he didn’t actually do it

by
Sara Ivry
August 12, 2009
(mpo.cz)
(mpo.cz)

The Czech Republic has issued a stamp honoring Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel, who died 400 years ago this fall, according to the Yiddish news website Vos Iz Neias? (The stamp costs approximately $1.20.) Known for his treatises on philosophy, the Talmud, and law, he’s also credited with inventing the character of the Golem, to defend Prague’s Jews from accusations of blood libel. But, notes the Post Office, the story of Loew’s Golem-inventing ise likely apocryphal—none of his papers ever mentioned such a being. In addition to the stamp, the Imperial Stables at the Prague Castle is holding an exhibit about the rabbi through November.

Sara Ivry is the host of Vox Tablet, Tablet Magazine’s weekly podcast. Follow her on Twitter@saraivry.