The pioneer woman of feminism

Danish Jewish history contains many pioneering women who have left a lasting impression and paved new paths in otherwise male-dominated fields. Here we now turn our gaze towards a female figure who, by virtue of her history and symbolic value, has been embraced by feminism and who thereby simultaneously had a new chapter and new life added to her history. It is none other than the mythical Lillith. Using contemporary language, one could almost say that historically she has been shamed as a woman. Until the late twentieth century, Lilith, who according to tradition was the first wife of the biblical Adam, had a fearsome reputation as a kidnapper, murderer of children and seducer of men. However, with the feminist movement of the 1970s, the view of Lilith was decisively changed to become a role model for independent women. Feminist theologian Judith Plaskow's text on Lilith played a key role in the reinterpretation and remaking of Lilith from demon to role model.

By Mads Emil Løkke Kristensen

In the medieval Jewish writing Ben Sira's Alphabet (ca. 800-1000), Lilith was introduced as Adam's first wife (remnants of the story can still be read in the Danish Bible translation, first chapter of the Old Testament). Both she and Adam were formed from earth/clay (whereas Eve was created from Adam's rib). Because Adam was created first, he believed that Lilith should submit to him - both biblically and literally. Lilith refused to join him, arguing that they were both created by God and from the same earth, so why should Adam rule over her?

The story developed and the seeds of the first divorce were laid. Lilith departed from Adam, who subsequently sang his lament to God for Lilith's refusal to follow his orders. God then sent three angels to find Lilith to return her to the fold with the threat that if she did not return she would be cursed to be a demon forever. So: – obey your master or become a demon!

Lilith refused to obey and was transformed into a demon as punishment for disobeying. As a result of her punishment and curse, she could only give birth to demon children. According to the stories, she therefore wanted to kidnap and murder healthy girls and boys. She got the demon children by seducing young men and stealing their sperm. One could protect oneself from Lilith by having an amulet with a special inscription – one of the three archangels' names Senoi, Sansenoi and Samangelof. A tradition arose in the Middle Ages for amulets especially for cradles, as protection for infants. It is therefore quite clear that Lilith in this text is a sexual woman who wants to be on an equal footing with her husband. She is punished for this and her sexuality is associated with demonic forces - a terrifying example for other women who should dare to think along the same lines.

The myth of Lilith was further developed in the coming centuries. Especially in the field of kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), where both her creation account and further progress get new chapters. In some writings she is married to the angel of death Samael and they have thousands of demon children. The general trend in the writings about Lilith is that she is associated with evil in its purest form.

Jewish feminism and modern times

The view and approach to Lilith saw a shift in the early 1970s, when feminist Jewish theologians rediscovered and reinterpreted the story and view of Lilith. The American theologian and professor Judith Plaskow wrote in 1972 'The Coming of Lilith' as ​​an indirect response to Ben Sira's Alphabet. In her book, Lilith is presented as a role model and given qualities such as sisterly solidarity and independence. Plaskow's text rebels against the patriarchal structures that have demonized independent women. Plaskow herself has stated that in her interpretation, where Lilith is not portrayed as a child killer either, the idea has been to reconstruct the myth of Lilith with an emphasis on cooperation between women, which can lead to changes both within Judaism, but also in surrounding communities.

This new interest and the reinterpretation of Lilith spawned a wave of texts with a feminist angle. The journal Lilith was born and a festival – 'Lilith Fair' – was born in 1996. The founder was Sarah McLachlan, and it was a showdown with the radio and concert industry in the US, which at that time had reservations about playing the tracks of two female artists one after another or to have more female artists on the poster.

Lilith in popular culture

As the myth of Lilith is rewritten or reinterpreted, popular culture adopts the old interpretation of Lilith. In television series such as Supernatural and True Blood, Lilith is again portrayed as a demon or vampire and primarily in a role as an adversary to be overcome and sometimes in league with Lucifer or Satan himself. She is again subordinate to a man or male character and does not stand as an independent figure. The latest shot at the tribe in the form of Lilith portrayals is seen in the popular Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Lilith is again portrayed as a demon, manipulator. The fact that she will not be inferior to any man is expressed when she kills Lucifer himself and she herself assumes the role of Queen of Hell.

In the comedy series Sam's Bar and Frasier, you are introduced to another Lilith - even with a Jewish background. In Sam's Bar, we are introduced to her as the fiancee and later wife of Frasier Crane. She is portrayed as a cold and manipulative woman - others will think that she is an independent woman who does not want to submit to a man. The promiscuous element we know from previous Lilith stories becomes a factor again, as in the series she has a fling with a colleague and is separated from Frasier, after which he is portrayed as the victim in the whole mess. The fact that he spends a significant part of his time in a basement pub in Boston is not considered a problem, but since it is the basic premise of the series, they have probably chosen not to problematize this.

In the spinoff series Frasier, which follows the actions of the aforementioned Frasier Crane, now only in Seattle, the divorce between him and Lilith has been finalized, which has resulted in her staying in Boston and having custody of their shared child. If you're into fancy interpretations, here we see another element from the Lilith myth, namely that she 'steals' children. The promiscuous element is repeated several times in the series, where she becomes an object of male sexual drive. This is especially seen in the episode where Frasier Crane feels attracted to her and refers to her as a seductress despite the admonitions of his brother Niles Crane (another regular from Sam's Bar) to desist from her advances. That it is Niles who ends up sleeping with her, due to his own failed marriage, completes the tale of Lilith as a temptress.

We also find Lilith within the PC and gaming culture. In the popular game series Diablo, where you as a player take part in the battle of good against evil, Lilith is also part of the universe. In 2019, in connection with the pre-launch of Diablo 4, she was presented as the game's primary "antagonist (main enemy)" or "final boss" if you will, in a very bloody and terrifying video sequence.

Why is Lilith a "leading woman"?

The Lilith figure is independent and sexual. She contributes to nuance and helps us to understand what the view of women can be - both in the past, but also today. She is a figure that feminists revere in a contemporary context because she represents the power of choice and refuses to be shamed for wanting to be the person she is. The fact that Lilith has been taken back and reinterpreted over the past 60 years has had a great significance for Jewish women around the world. Because it shows that it's okay to make your own choices and be completely yourself. Not least, it reminds us that we must remember to re-read the stories.

Sandra Kviat, rabbi in Denmark, also highlighted Lilith in an article in Kristeligt Dagblad in connection with Women's International Day of Struggle on March 8.