Shamir (Hebrew: שָׁמִיר, romanized as šāmir), a mythical entity from Jewish folklore and Talmudic tradition. "Shermah" is likely a variant spelling or anglicized corruption of "Shamir," as noted in some 19th-century Masonic and esoteric texts (e.g., in old York Rite lectures, where it's described as the "insect Shermah" used to polish stones).
This legend is not biblical but originates in post-biblical Jewish mysticism, particularly the Talmud (compiled c. 200-500 CE), and has influenced esoteric traditions like Freemasonry and Kabbalah. It's a fascinating example of how ancient myths blend practical puzzles (how to build without iron tools?) with supernatural elements, symbolizing divine ingenuity and the harmony between creation and the sacred.
Core Legend: The Shamir's Role in Temple Construction
According to the Talmud (Tractate Gittin 68a-b and Sotah 48b), King Solomon faced a divine prohibition: the First Temple in Jerusalem (built c. 950 BCE, per biblical accounts in 1 Kings 5-8) could not be constructed using iron tools, as iron symbolized war and bloodshed—unfit for a house of peace and worship. Ordinary methods like chisels or axes were forbidden, so how to cut the massive foundation stones? Note: iron is well known to be harmful to the body of etheric and astral entities…
Shamir: Described variably as a tiny worm (the size of a barleycorn), a serpent-like creature, or a miraculous stone/substance with supernatural properties. Its power? The mere gaze or touch of the Shamir could split stone, diamond, or iron effortlessly, without noise or friction—leaving perfect cuts for interlocking blocks. Solomon's artisans would place the Shamir in a lead-lined container (to contain its power) and use it to score lines on stones, which then cleaved cleanly. This allowed the Temple's stones to be prepared in the quarry and assembled silently on-site, fulfilling the biblical verse (1 Kings 6:7): "There was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building."
How Solomon Obtained It: The story involves high-stakes adventure and demonic intrigue. Solomon, advised by his scholars, learned the Shamir was a gift from God to the Angel of the Sea (or Prince of the Sea), guarded by the moor-hen (or hoopoe bird, duchifat in Hebrew). To retrieve it, Solomon captured the demon Asmodeus (Ashmedai), king of demons, using his magical ring (the Seal of Solomon, engraved with the divine name YHWH). Asmodeus revealed the Shamir's location but tricked Solomon later, leading to a temporary downfall. A servant (often Benaiah ben Jehoiada) then outwitted the hoopoe, stealing the Shamir after the bird hid it in a nest. Once used, the Shamir vanished or lost its power after the Temple's completion (or destruction in 587 BCE), symbolizing the end of an era of miracles.
Nature of the Shamir: Debates in rabbinic literature (e.g., Rashi's commentary) vary: Is it a living creature (worm/serpent) or inanimate (a gemstone like emery or jasper)? Some midrashim (e.g., Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg) portray it as a fiery, serpentine being whose "venom" or radiation dissolved matter—like a mythical laser or acid. This ambiguity ties into broader serpent symbolism in Jewish lore (e.g., the fiery seraphim-serpents in Isaiah 6, or the Nehushtan bronze serpent in Numbers 21).
Possibly a form of technology, like a laser, that could cut stone….
Esoteric and Mystical Interpretations
Symbolism: As a "cutter" of the uncuttable, it represents divine shevirat ha-kelim (breaking of vessels) in Kabbalah—the shattering of primordial worlds to create reality—or the soul's ability to pierce illusions (stone as material density). In Freemasonry (especially York Rite and Scottish Rite), echoes appear in Hiram Abiff myths, where lost secrets enable perfect architecture; some old lectures explicitly reference the "Shermah" as a polishing tool for the "rough ashlar" (unrefined soul).
Serpent Motif: The serpentine aspect links to global myths—Egyptian uraeus (protective cobra), Sumerian Ningishzida (serpent-god of vegetation), or Gnostic ouroboros (eternal cycle). In Jewish mysticism, serpents symbolize both temptation (Garden of Eden) and healing/enlightenment (Moses' staff). The Shamir's "magical creature" status may draw from these, portraying it as a chthonic (earthly) ally for sacred work.
Historical and Cultural Context
Origins: The tale likely postdates the Temple (post-6th century BCE exile), emerging in Babylonian/Persian Jewish communities influenced by Mesopotamian folklore (e.g., worm-like demons in Akkadian texts). It's absent from the Bible but canonical in the Talmud, reflecting rabbinic creativity to explain scriptural gaps.