The Golem of Rav Eliyahu of Chelm

Rav Yaakov Emden records the following tradition. He heard from the holy mouth of his father, the Chacham Tzvi, about the golem created by their ancestor, Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem of Chelm. When Rav Eliyahu saw that the golem was growing too strong, he feared that it would destroy the whole world.

He therefore removed the Divine Name that was on the golem's forehead, and the golem lost its life and became dust and earth once more. But in the struggle to detach the Name by force, the golem injured Rav Eliyahu and scratched his face.

Rav Yaakov adds that he also received a tradition that the golem had been made to fight against the nations and to take retribution and vengeance on them. For that reason, afterwards, the wicked hounded Rav Eliyahu, and he had to hide from them in fear.