“Tis Lilith.
Who?
Adam's first wife is she.
Beware the lure within her lovely tresses,
The splendid sole adornment of her hair;
When she succeeds therewith a youth to snare,
Not soon again she frees him from her jesses”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, in his 1808 play Faust: The First Part of the Tragedy
Goethe was one of the early major writers to popularize Lilith. Since the 19th Century, Lilith has become popular across the Western world. She is portrayed in books, movies, television shows, video games, Japanese animes, comics, and music.
The modern feminist movement found inspiration in the vision of Lilith as a powerful female in Jewish folklore, visualizing her as a woman worthy of emulating. In 1972, Israeli American journalist and writer, Lilly Rivlin published an article on Lilith for the feminist magazine Ms., with the aim of redeeming her for contemporary women. The Jewish feminist magazine Lilith, founded in the fall of 1976, took her name as their own, because the editors were galvanized by their interpretation of Lilith’s struggle for equality with Adam.
Since then, interest in Lilith has grown among Jewish and non-Jewish feminists, as well as by listeners to contemporary music by women, as highlighted in the Lilith Fair. As Lilly Rivlin writes in her afterword to the book Whose Lilith? (1998), “In the late twentieth century, self-sufficient women, inspired by the women’s movement, have adopted the Lilith myth as their own. They have transformed her into a female symbol for autonomy, sexual choice, and control of one’s own destiny.”
If you’re looking, Lilith seems to be everywhere in popular culture, and perhaps you would assume she has a leading role in the Bible. Yet Lilith is in fact rarely mentioned in classic Jewish texts.
A Dubious Source
The most quoted book in contemporary sources about Lilith is also the least reliable.i A medieval book called The Alphabet of Ben Sira (not to be confused with the 2nd century BCE apocryphal book The Wisdom of Ben Sira) claims that God created Adam and Lilith at the same time from the dust of the earth. According to this book, Lilith refused to subordinate herself to Adam in their intimate relationship, and she ran away from him using the Ineffable Name. Angels tried to force her to return, and she fought back and refused to go to Adam. The story continues that God then made Adam a second wife, Eve, who was content to stay with Adam.
Lilith is mentioned at least four times in the Babylonian Talmud. In none of these cases is she referred to as Adam’s wife.
However, the book The Alphabet of Ben Sira is in fact not an authoritative source in Jewish literature at all. Perhaps because it bears in its title the familiar name of Ben-Sira some believe it to have authority, but even a cursory reading of the book by one familiar with Jewish texts will demonstrate that this is not a Jewish classic. On the contrary, it is a work filled with demeaning and lewd variations on Biblical accounts and satirical portrayals of Biblical characters. The book is not and never was part of mainstream Jewish literature.ii
Textual References to Lilith in Jewish Sources
The only actual scriptural reference to Lilith is in Isaiah 34:14. It refers to Lilith as being among the beasts of prey and spirits that will lay waste to the land on the day of vengeance. It makes no reference to Adam.
Lilith is mentioned at least four times in the Babylonian Talmud. In none of these cases is she referred to as Adam’s wife. The Talmudic passages discuss Lilith in terms of warning that a man should not sleep alone in a house lest Lilith fall upon him in his sleep, that she could influence the outcome of a pregnancy and describing how Lilith can appear.
The text in which there are many references to Lilith is in the Zohar. In examining some of the references, we can gain a further understanding of what and who Lilith is and is not.
In Medrash Haneelam, a section of Zohar it says:
Rav Yitzchok said in the name of Rav: Adam was created together with his mate, as it says, “Male and female He created them” (Gen. 5:2), and God separated her from him and brought her to Him, as it says, “And He took one of his sides (ribs)”.
Rav Yehoshua said: There was an Eve before this that was taken away because she was a harmful spirit, and another was given in her place.
Said Rava: The second one was physical, the first was not, but was rather made from filth and impure sediment.
The Zohar is clear that this being that preceded Eve was not a person but rather a spirit, a harmful spirit that was impure.
Another passage in the Zohar, on Vayikra 19a, is even more explicit on Lilith’s creation and her connection to Adam:
Come and see: There is a female, a spirit of all spirits, and her name is Lilith, and she was at first with Adam. And in the hour when Adam was created and his body became completed, a thousand spirits from the left [evil] side clung to that body until the Holy One, blessed be He, shouted at them and drove them away. And Adam was lying, a body without a spirit, and his appearance was green, and all those spirits surrounded him. In that hour a cloud descended and pushed away all those spirits. And when Adam stood up, his female was attached to his side. And that holy spirit which was in him spread out to this side and that side, and grew here and there, and thus became complete. Thereafter the Holy One, blessed be He, sawed Adam into two, and made the female. And He brought her to Adam in her perfection like a bride to the canopy. When Lilith saw this, she fled.
The Zohar here states, based on the verses in Genesis, that Adam was created as male and female joined at the side/rib, the female side to be known as Eve. Lilith was a spirit that was with Adam before he and Eve were separated. Once the two halves of Adam and Eve were separate and subsequently married, Lilith fled. In this passage as well, it is clear that Lilith is a negative spirit and not an actual physical person.
The great Kabbalist, the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 1534-1572) writes that Samael is in charge of all the “male” demons, called Mazikim, while his “wife” Lilith is in charge of all the “female” demons, called Shedim (Sha’ar HaPesukim on Psalms). He further associates Lilith with the sword of the Angel of Death. The Arizal understood Lilith as a spirit of lust, that is still around and dangerous.
As the female partner of Satan, the Zohar identifies Lilith as “the ruination of the world,” for her role is to bring immorality into the minds and actions of humans.
Based on the Arizal’s understanding, the two above passages in the Zohar can be understood. In the first passage, it describes Adam as having a “harmful spirit” that was removed when Eve was created. The “harmful spirit” of lust was removed when he was married and able to direct his sexuality in a holy and proper manner through connection to his wife. In the latter passage, the understanding is the same. Lilith, representing lust and sexual desire that is directed negatively, “fled” when Adam was joined in marriage to his bride, Eve.
The End of Lililth
The Zohar (ibid) quotes the verse in Isaiah 34:14 that speaks of Lilith. and expounds that when Messiah comes, Lilith will finally be expelled forever:
When the Holy One, blessed be He, will bring about the destruction of the wicked Rome, and turn it into a ruin for all eternity, He will send Lilith there, and let her dwell in that ruin, for she is the ruination of the world. And to this refers the verse, and there shall lie down Lilith and find her a place of rest (Isaiah 34:14).
Based on the Arizal’s explanation of Lilith as the female partner of Satan, we can understand that the Zohar identifies her as “the ruination of the world,” for her role is to bring immorality into the minds and actions of humans. For this reason, when the Messiah comes and the world will reach its perfect state, Lilith, as well as Satan, will be completely obliterated.
With an understanding of Lilith based on authentic classic sources, it should be obvious how distasteful it is to make Lilith an icon of Jewish feminism. After all, what would you think of a man who chooses Satan as his role model?
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There are those who assume that the story found in Alphabet of Ben Sira is based on the concept of the “First Eve” found in two places in Genesis Rabbah, a collection of midrashim about the book of Genesis.
According to Rabbi Chiya, this First Eve "returned to dust" (Genesis Raba 22:7, Zohar 34b), and God proceeded to create a second Eve for Adam (Genesis Raba 18.4). The Commentators note that these Midrashim (like many other Midrashim) might not be literally true but rather serve to teach Kabbalistic ideas. Either way, nowhere does the Midrash talk about Lililth or anything like the story of the Alphabet of Ben Sira
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Some argue that the work was merely as an impious digest of risqué folktales or an anti-rabbinic satire. Other authorities have suggested that it was a polemical broadside aimed at Karaites, or some other dissident movement.
(22) Mordechai cohen, December 23, 2020 7:18 PM
a well written and sourced article.
a well written and sourced article.
thank you
(21) Student of Sarah, Rivka, Rochel and Leah,, December 21, 2020 8:25 PM
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller
A Good Article on AISH:
https://www.aish.com/ci/w/48955426.html
"...Thus, mainstream feminism should really be called, "masculism," because it glorifies everything that pertains to men and seeks to appropriate it for women."
(20) Nathaniel Persily, December 21, 2020 7:13 PM
What is a Lilith Fair?
References to a Lilly Rivlin book from 1998 and the Lilith Fair make this article look very disconnected from the current discourse. If the author of the article were writing this comment and trying to seem timely, he might erroneously ask "Where's the beef? "
Stanford University, December 21, 2020 7:48 PM
Here is the Beef! (and the problem)
https://www.lilith.org/
https://academic.oup.com/mj/article-abstract/39/2/125/5418984?redirectedFrom=fulltext
https://stories.thejewishmuseum.org/fear-no-man-the-image-of-lilith-in-the-jewish-museum-collection-a779baad46e4
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=relsstud_theses
(19) Student of Sarah, Rivka, Rochel and Leah, December 21, 2020 5:05 PM
A Fake Feminism
The modern-day feminist movement truly played the role of Lilith and sold many young Jewish Ladies a false ideology that actually demeaned womanhood and destroyed building Jewish families all in the name of so-called equality.
(18) Benyamin, December 18, 2020 3:13 PM
Lilith
When HaShem created Adam it was what we call "cloning". He was was cloned from the bones of a good man that had lived previously and he wanted to set him apart as his. Lilith was the rebellious wife of the man Adam was cloned from.
(17) Benyamin, December 18, 2020 2:16 PM
Lilith
Lilith isn't a demon but represents the rebellion of man. In Isaiah it speaks of her but represents the failed version of mankind. We say HaShem is King of the universe but in fact he is "King of all the universes". This failed version of mankind is destroyed for trying to prevent the line of the Messiah continuing. HaShem wipes out most of humanity in this failed version of the universe. Standing before HaShem after it is over it is decided to send the soul of the Messiah back to himself at a certain point in time (parallel universe) but in the form of a woman (similar to Eve being part of Adam). This blocks the attempts of humanity from preventing the line of the Messiah continuing. Unfortunate for the failed version of humanity in that universe but one possible outcome. The earth in that version is given to the animals. HaShem said he will never again wipe out all flesh from the earth but in the fine print you have to look at and ask yourself "in what version of the universe?".
(16) Jen, December 18, 2020 1:42 PM
Feminism
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Feminism and every other attempt at self elevation in this world work against the righteousness of God. We -all men and women - should humble our hearts and deny ourselves and ask God what is right in His will for us to dwell on in our hearts and minds. People allow themselves to become self obsessed, and that's why they concern themselves with feminism and other societal movements. "What can I get for myself in this world and how can I get it?" We should not be devoted to our own desires and ends, but those of God our Father. If God has created you to be either a man or a woman, there is some way for you to serve Him as such while you live.
(15) Cheryl, December 17, 2020 7:36 PM
A feminist is a feminist is a feminist. The idea being that a woman should not be reliant on a man. Lillith, be she spirit or flesh, did not want to stay with Adam. This is why she is venerated as the epitome of the feminist movement. Eve on the other hand, stayed and produced progeny. You can say what you want about Eve eating prohibitive fruit. The story is not about the perfect mate; it's about a mate who stays.
(14) Emes, December 17, 2020 6:11 PM
Aish needs MORE Articles like this
Our sisters are drowning with dangerous narratives by Lilith.org of what it means to be a modern Jewish lady with Jewish pride and values.
(13) Robert Ranger, December 15, 2020 9:20 PM
keep researching please Rabbi's of Klal Yisrael
shalom Rabbi Levine I gratefully thank you Hashem for sharing your mystery wisdom with your children Happy Hannukah Bless King Hashem amen and amen
(12) Former Bay Area, December 15, 2020 5:58 PM
YASHER KOACH!
Yasher koach to the dear rabbi who is a true Torah leader!
(11) Gila Manolson, December 15, 2020 5:45 PM
Only one side of the story
Kaballah supplies a much deeper understanding of Lilith. It sees her as the klippah ("shell," or negative manifestation) of the woman who preceded Eve, who (according to the Arizal, a leading Kabbalist) had a very high spiritual root, and who experienced tikkun (spiritual rectification) in the soul of the matriarch Leah. For anyone who reads Hebrew, I refer you to Mi Zot Olah by Nir Menussi.
Anonymous, December 16, 2020 12:01 PM
Only one side of the story?
Not clear why you say "Kaballah supplies a much deeper understanding of Lilith."
This article is full of kabbalistic sources, and quotes the Arizal as saying that this klipah is still a force to be reckoned with. The article also quotes the Zohar as saying that its final tikkun will only be in the time of the mashiah, so presumably the tikkun in Leah is only partial.
Rebbe Nachman, December 16, 2020 7:29 PM
Tikkun Haklali
You are correct. Not only that but Chassidus stresses the spiritual danger of Lilith till our day. Rebbe Nachman's Tikkun Klali is specifically to counteract Lilith. Tehillim is the same gematria as Lilith.
Gematria checker, December 17, 2020 4:44 PM
Tehillim gematria
Don't know where you're getting that gematria from. According to my math, Tehillim = 595; Lillith = 550.
Rebbe Nachman, December 17, 2020 5:56 PM
Likutei Moharan
See Rebbe Nachman's Likutey Moharan I, 205, the ten psalms of the TikkunHaklali can renew and rectify the impurities of a person. It is because the word “LIL-IT” has a similar value to the word Tehillim by adding all the letters that composed the word Lilit.
Gila Manolson, December 17, 2020 3:36 PM
You're right, but...
Yes, the article quotes Kabbalistic sources, but from what I've read, the story nevertheless goes beyond those that are mentioned.
Anonymous, December 17, 2020 5:58 PM
From the Kotzker
“All that is thought should not be said, all that is said should not be written, all that is written should not be published, all that is published should not be read.”
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgenstern of Tomashov (the Kotzker Rebbe)
Anonymous, December 20, 2020 9:00 PM
Apologies
After I had written my response, I realized that that was what you meant. I like what the commenter below implies when he quotes the Kotzker - i.e. that this is a subject with which we are probably better off not over-occupying ourselves.
(10) Anonymous, December 15, 2020 4:55 PM
Impure source
Could it be that this choice of a role model is a conscious or unconscious reflection of the impure foundations of much of what is termed feminism? As a man, I believe that the more women can be elevated, the better. However, my impression is that not a few feminists believe that that end can only be achieved by lowering the position of men, and that is why I believe that much of what is termed feminism is "impure". Could it be that it is almost always some sort of psychological wound that leads people into this error? After all, what would the point if men were subjugated? Would we not simply be left with a mirror image of the current situation?
Rachel, December 15, 2020 10:40 PM
You misunderstand feminism
I am an Orthodox Jew and a feminist, as is my husband.
In essence, feminism posits equal treatment for women. That includes the right to vote, to control one’s own money, to equal educational and job opportunities, and to equal pay for equivalent work.
As I noted below, there are better role models for Jewish women than Lilith.
Anonymous, December 16, 2020 3:58 PM
My understanding of feminism
It is quite possible I misunderstand feminism, as I have never researched the subject. However, it would seem that if the abstract concept of feminism is respresented by the sum of those who call themselves "feminists", there is a problem, to put it mildly. A family friend of ours happened to mention recently that a relative of hers had started a course in "gender studies", only to discover to her dismay that "she was the only one in the class who didn't hate men". This is of course purely anecdotal, but I would still be interested to hear your thoughts.
Another Rachel, December 16, 2020 6:19 PM
Modern/Third Wave Femism is largely anti-Torah
Rachel #1 is still living with a 1960's 1st wave of feminsim definition but we are already living in 3rd wave feminsim which is largely anti-Torah with not equal rights for women but largely advocating a breakdown in gender and sexual norms.
No Torah Jew should be a 3rd wave Feminist
Nancy, January 18, 2021 7:44 PM
To commenter Another Rachel
Re: Modern feminism. There really IS nothing new under the sun. Many women are still not paying paid fairly for the work they do. Re: Your comments about gender and sexual norms. Homosexuality is also not new, but historically homosexuals have been treated like criminals. The same is true of transgender folks. Re: Being anti Torah. If you want to demonstrate how powerful Torah is, what is stopping you from teaching a class and/or learning with someone? I am a feminist who was raised in a very Secular Jewish home and I am proud to say that I am becoming more proficient at reading the weekly Parsha in Hebrew. People are not as simple as you are depicting them to be.
Rachel, December 17, 2020 5:55 PM
So do some research
Yes, there are some people on the fringes of any movement who take it to extremes. Over the summer, I read that some genius has written a scholarly book in praise of looting.
It’s important to recognize that mainstream movements generally eschew these extremes. I recently watched a documentary about the efforts put into women’s suffrage, which we won 100 years ago. From about the 1860’s onward, there were organized efforts to give American women the right to vote. The “experts” of the time opined that women were constitutionally unsuited to difficult analysis and choice of who should represent them. Similarly, excuses for women’s lack of financial success and advancement in some fields was attributed to our maternal natures or our husbands’ disapproval if we were to earn as much or more as men. Never mind the fact that many women juggle homemaking with a paying job, or that men may become unemployed or disabled, etc.
So one student at one college in one gender studies course is the only one in the class who doesn’t “hate men”? That’s a terribly small sample on which to base an assumption about a movement to empower half the human race.
Just as stereotypes about Jews are always harmful (“they are good with money” is just as bad as “they are greedy”), so are stereotypes about women, members of other ethnicities, etc.
While my daughter’s Hebrew name, Miriam, is largely in memory of her late great grandmother, I was happy to give her a name that reflected a great Jewish role model: a girl who assisted her mother in midwifery, saving the lives of Jewish babies in defiance of Pharaoh’s decree, who had the presence of mind to offer assistance to Pharaoh’s daughter, thereby allowing her baby brother Moshe to be nursed by his own mother, who participated in leading the Jews out of Egypt and in gathering the Israelite women to fully celebrate their liberation in an appropriate way. No myths about female evil spirits required.
(9) Yitzak Chaim, December 15, 2020 4:15 PM
About another story
Shalom dear Rabbi, I already heard from a rabbi, that Lili, was actually Chavah's daughter with Narash, and that after Adam separated from Chavah, he had a relationship with her
(8) Nathan halevy, December 15, 2020 3:34 PM
Fantastic article
This was a great article that was very enlightening on a very obscure concept in Torah. Thanks for sharing
(7) Emma, December 15, 2020 12:24 PM
Lilith is just an old non-Jewish spirit : )
Lilith is not properly Jewish. She comes into Jewish folklore and popular beliefs , from mesopotamic / sumerian background , later developed in medieval (and much more recent) occultism and popular legends such as Goethe's fictional accounts. I think most of the feminists , Jewish and not , are conscious of this origin and use her just as an archetype for sexual disinhibition, female empowerment in spite of oppression by bigotry and hypocrisy, courage , untamed strenght, freedom and so on. They gave her a new ,symbolic role but not a true value in Judaism I read the work of a Jewish feminist many years ago which stated how the Zohar referencese were just a case of patriarchal bigotry , but she was very well learned that Lilith is not a reliable nor properly Jewish female character. In last decades Lilith gained popularity also thanks to pagan and witchcraft revival , which is very polemic towards "patriarchal" and "male" Abrahamic divinity (in their vision). Problems may surge for Jews who stop at the surface and do not know historic background and cultural contaminations. They may beieve Lilith is a really a central character of Jewish history and belief. But it's just an old sumerian (or similar) evil spirit with a lot of lore and speculation around it : )
Rachel, December 15, 2020 1:10 PM
“You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” ― Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Nope. Lililth is a COMPLETELY Jewish concept.
The fact that there is Lilu concept in Sumer/Akkadian background is no different than those cultures having a history of an ancient Flood and some other Bilbical concepts due to either/both the truth of the concepts are influence of Abraham. Their tradition is non-sequitur to ours.
And Jewish/feminists do not quote Sumer/Akkadian /Pagan sources . They DO QUOTE books such as Alpha Bet of Ben Sira.
And they are wrong as the article proves. “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” ― Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Emma, December 15, 2020 10:29 PM
(partially)Jewish medieval legends, not Jewish history
"the book The Alphabet of Ben Sira is in fact not an authoritative source in Jewish literature at all. Perhaps because it bears in its title the familiar name of Ben-Sira some believe it to have authority, but even a cursory reading of the book by one familiar with Jewish texts will demonstrate that this is not a Jewish classic. On the contrary, it is a work filled with demeaning and lewd variations on Biblical accounts and satirical portrayals of Biblical characters. The book is not and never was part of mainstream Jewish literature."
it's well written in the article,as you can see. It's legend, not history , and a legend fruit of multiple cultural contaminations. An american urban legend can be mainly American, but it's still just an urban legend and with references and contaminations from many other cultures. Lilith is not relevant in Jewish culture, it's a guest apperance from somewhere else - and the evil attributes she has come from that non-Jewish background. The recent feminist mithology (which I don't share, Lilith is a little boring to me : ) ) uses her in a consciously revisited role of female empowerment and they DO use lots of pagan and modern frames to re-read the character, such as a goddess on her own, a supernatural super powerful witch and so one. They quote her guest appearance in Judaism to criticize the sexist - in their opinion - and patriarchal view of society and divine of Judaism itself. But the character they use in a positive way is fictional and modern, and like the very primordial character has not real, ancient and deep Jewish roots. Lilith today is pop culture , symbol and archetype -and very mixed from many sources.
(6) chaim, December 14, 2020 12:57 AM
Thank you
Well written. Good references. Happy Hanukkah.
(5) David Levinson, December 13, 2020 8:54 PM
Light and understanding
Rabbi Levine you have made a story so hard to understand easier to navigate. Those misguided who put the dark on a pedestal do not know what damage they do by continuing the false stories. It is that or they choose to give the darkness continuation by passing on bad information and elevating symbolism that is incorrectly interpreted and disseminated. May the truth and knowledge of the past be the light that leads us onward. Happy Chanukah
(4) SJ, December 13, 2020 7:49 PM
Jewish Ignorance
It is so sad that so many Jews are so ignorant that they could elevate negative and false role models. Thank you to the rabbi for shining the light in a place of darkness.
(3) SL, December 13, 2020 3:47 PM
False Narratives v. Truth
Thank you Rabbi Levine for this well written and informative article.
I have been shocked how pervasive false narratives of Lilith are in today's world.
For that reason articles such as yours are SO IMPORTANT.
(2) George Orwell, December 13, 2020 3:34 PM
Truth Empowers
"In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act. "George Orwell
Thank you for the TRUE story of Lilith in a time of so much falsehood (Most of it out of sheer ignorance)
May the light of Chanukah continue to shine bright for Jews around the world.
Happy Channukah!
(1) Rachel, December 13, 2020 3:27 PM
How much weight should we give these stories?
I accept the Torah and Orthodox rabbinic Judaism. But the Lilith stories cited seem to be just that— stories to make a point. Similarly, the satan in Judaism is not the Lucifer of “Paradise Lost”. I don’t like the idea of Lilith as a feminist icon, especially when there are other Jewish women role models (Miriam, Deborah, Esther and Judith are my favorites.)
Eli, December 19, 2020 9:22 PM
You should check with a Rabbi you trust and is familiar with the Zohar.
As Rabbi Levine states, there is absolutely no Jewish source for Lilith ("a wife of Adam") other than the Zohar.
This whole reference to the Zohar is new to me and I need to check with my Rabbanim before I accept it to be true.
Until now, all I had heard of was the clearly satirical work, and a few Talmudic and scriptural sources which use the word "Lilith" - nu, from the word night, and none of them reference a story about a wife of Adam - one is clearly interpreted as an owl (night creature).
No disrespect intended to the good Rabbi, but I don't know him so I will check with my rabbanim.