Is a "Golem" the same thing as a person created through Sefer Yetzirah? Please be clear with your answer.
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Closely related: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/6053– msh210 ♦Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 7:30
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3Aaron Levian, thanks for the interesting question, which would be improved by your including in it your basis for asking (why do you think a "golem" might be someone created via Sefer Y'tzira?). Welcome to Mi Yodeya! I hope you stick around and enjoy the site.– msh210 ♦Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 7:33
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Is a "Golem" even a formal category?– Double AA ♦Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 15:49
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I know nothing about it, that's why i'm asking.– AEMLCommented Oct 28, 2012 at 16:48
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related judaism.stackexchange.com/a/2902/1561– not-allowed to change my nameCommented Oct 29, 2012 at 14:19
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1 Answer
Creating people through the use of Sefer Yetzira is mentioned in Gemora Sanhedrin 65b and Rashi there. It seems that common usage of the word "golem" refers to such a practice. In Rabbi Chaim Volozhin's introduction to "Sefer Dezniyusa" of the Gaon of Vilna he relates that the Gr"a told him that he had a very precise version of Sefer Yetzira to which R' Chaim noted that if so it would not be difficult to create a golem. The Gr"a responded that he had in fact attempted to do so (when he was not yet even thirteen years old) but received a heavenly sign to stop. This is one source that uses the word "golem" to refer to someone created by Sefer Yetzirah.
