You might know this name; Lilith was a music festival (founded by Sarah McLachlan in 1997 that, sadly, only lasted 3 years) focused on female musicians. It was also the name of Frasier Crane’s wife in “Cheers”. Historically, Lilith is a mysterious character, often depicted as a winged demon who attacked pregnant women and as Adam’s first wife by some of the ancient rabbis. It is the second aspect of this myth that I want to consider today, because it is an interesting bridge between the creation stories of Genesis 1 and 2 that I wrote about earlier in the week. The creation of Lilith also shines a light on male fragility, which has always been a thing.
Lilith appears in The Alphabet of Sirach, believed to have been written sometime between 700-1000 CE, as the woman created at the same time Adam was in Genesis 1. She is his equal in every way, and they fight all the time because neither one will allow the other to be dominant. Lilith’s creation is also recounted in The Tales of Ben Sira, an apocryphal work from the tenth century C.E. Lilith refuses to submit and leaves, speaking the unspeakable name of God and proclaiming her hatred for babies. Throughout history, Lilith was depicted as beautiful, seductive, demonic, and even as the serpent who tempted Eve. Eve was created, we are told, as a smaller, subservient version; someone the man could dominate.
It is often said that in the midst of mythology, fairy tales, and fables there lies truth. The story of Lilith explains how men took control, but it doesn’t give a good reason why – other than male fragility. It also places the blame for misogyny directly on men and makes God look weak for giving into Adam. As a symbol, Lilith has found a place among women as they claim their equality, but it is interesting to me how the great Bebe Neuwirth played her in Cheers. Brilliant but cold – beautiful but repressed – Lilith is depicted as Frasier’s equal, but also as unattainable and a little scary to men in the show.
The story of Lilith still matters because so many men treat women, based on their flawed biblical worldviews, as their inferiors. This points to just how fragile so many men are and leads to a great amount of repression and abuse. I married a Lilith – the true Lilith that is in every way equal (truthfully, superior). Maybe you did too. I would have it no other way. Equality is a God-thing; oppression is not.
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for creating us equal. It is a gift that too many people refuse to accept. Amen.
Today’s art is “Lilith” by John Collier (1887).