Lilith

demon · Israel · Middle East and North Africa

Lilith is the great female demon of Jewish tradition, likely descended from a Mesopotamian night-spirit (Lilitu). In the Talmud she preys on men in sleep and threatens newborns; the Alphabet of Ben Sira makes her Adam's first wife, who refused to lie beneath him, fled Eden, and was replaced by Eve. Ever after, amulets and incantations guard infants from her.

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