Rabbi as a class/kit?

[Yaarel]

What sort of Kabbalist style golems could be created besides clay?

The clay golem derives from the Bible, where the first human (whose name is ‘Human’, Adam) is shaped out of wet clay − namely a ‘lump’ of ‘dirt’ made moist by a ‘mist’ from the ground. God brought this reddish clay statue to life, by breathing Divine breath into it. This is understood as the ‘dirt’ of physical molecules being mysteriously entangled with consciousness.

There is a tradition that when humanity is without sin, then it will become possible for humans to create new human life in a similar way.

There is a story in the Talmud where the golem looked exactly like a human, but was recognized as being nonhuman, and only animalistic, because of the inability to speak and reason.

There is also a story of two rabbis who created a living cow. They understood the miracle had to be for a good purpose, so they cooked it for a feast for Shabat.

It seems to me, the rabbinic traditions are more about creating life than creating robots. Nevertheless, there are rabbinic traditions today that connect computers and artificial intelligence with the golem. There is even a famous case where several descendants of the Maharal of Prague (a rabbi credited with creating a golem), who were pioneers in the field of computers.

Keep in mind, most rabbis dont create golems. This is a rare but famous case concerning a handful of individuals. In D&D terms, these are probably standard Wizards or Artificers who happen to have a Rabbi background.

 

[abe ray]

What spells would be appropriate for rabbi’s anyway?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Several spells in the AD&D and 2Ed PHBs were based on OT biblical miracles. One classic was Sticks To Snakes.

And as mentioned, the golem- at least the clay one- was lifted from the Jewish legend. So any spell the game requires to create one should be on that list as well.

Then there’s the basic utility spells that would be a part of most faith traditions, so they can perform the blessings and ceremonies for the adherents.

 

[Zardnaar]

Several spells in the AD&D and 2Ed PHBs were based on OT biblical miracles. One classic was Sticks To Snakes.

And as mentioned, the golem- at least the clay one- was lifted from the Jewish legend. So any spell the game requires to create one should be on that list as well.

Then there’s the basic utility spells that would be a part of most faith traditions, so they can perform the blessings and ceremonies for the adherents.

Walk on water, resurrection come to mind as well.

Played with a Catholic guy back in 90's and used these as examples.

 

[Yaarel]

What spells would be appropriate for rabbi’s anyway?

It seems to me, a rabbi would avoid nonkosher spells (interacting with undead and the Shadowfell, using magic done in the name of other gods). And all magic must be done in a way that is ethical. But otherwise any spell is possible. The magic can be either done in the name of God or done by means of science (including alchemy and other protoscience).

Spells that heal and empower, like Bard and Cleric, would be frequent pursuits, but also Wizard and Artificer. Plus Psion mystics who seek to unite ones mind with the Infinite Divine mind, by means of Tora. Druid can make sense too, healing, elementalism, and agriculture, but probably less "woodsy", but often "vegan".

 

[Yaarel]

I vaguely remember a news article about an Orthodox Jewish community debating whether Harry Potter magic was kosher or not. At least this particular community adjudicated that it is kosher, because it is essentially the protoscience of a hypothetical world. There was no reliance on other gods of any kind.

 

[Eltab]

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has a "Bard of Persuasion" (afb and do not remember the correct name) with class features that might be helpful.

 

[beancounter]

I would start by using the 2e Spells and Magic rules.

I would also grab the Air domain, so you can be pretty fly for a rabbi.

I see what you did there...

 

[beancounter]

Well, at the very least, the Rabbi class should be able to part water at 1st level.

 

[damiller]

Hi I found this article by Lee Gold a very interesting read. It is quite long, and she is the publisher of Alarums and Excursions which has been published as a RPG Zine since 1976. While it does not contain specific 2e concepts, it can provide a good framework to figure it out in 2e mechanics.