THOSE WHO HAUNT THE EARTH: LILITH

Lilith is a figure in Jewish mythology, developed earliest in the Babylonian Talmud, who is generally thought to be derived from a class of female demons (Līlīṯu) in Mesopotamian texts. In Jewish folklore, from the eighth- tenth centuries Alphabet of Ben Sira and onward, Lilith becomes Adam’s first wife, created at the same time and from the same earth as her husband. This contrasts with Eve, who was created from one of Adam’s ribs. The legend was greatly developed during the Middle Ages. In the 13th Century writings of Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob ha-Cohen, for example, Lilith left Adam after she refused to become subservient to him. Adam complained to God, and three angels were sent to bring Lilith back to Eden, although she refused to return. Eventually, Lilith became a lover to demons, producing one hundred offspring a day. When she did not return to Adam, God punished her by taking away her children. Lilith was believed to haunt new mothers and their infants, especially sons. She was also viewed as a seductress, using men to create her demonic children.