According to legend, there are an almost infinite variety of ways to create a golem. They can basically be categorized into two forms. One method is to construct the golem from clay and put some kind of inscription on or in the statue. The second method involves reciting the words of creation, either those outlined in the Sefer Yetzirah or the name of God. Below are the ingredients for a common variation from each of these major categories.

To make a golem from clay:

• writing instrument
• pure white robes
• purified clay
• purified dust
• purified water
• purity of purpose

To make a golem from thin air:

• 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet:

  aleph bet gimel dalet heh vav zayin chet tet

  yod kaf lamed mem nun samek ayin peh zadi

  qof resh shin tov

• purity of purpose