Monday, December 25, 2006

Number Twenty-Eight

Adam’s first wife.

The first true battle of the sexes, according to Jewish legend, happened when Adam was married to Lilith.  Lilith was Adam’s first wife, before Eve. 

“. . . . The Alphabet of Ben-Sira, written sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries. Lilith is described as refusing to assume a subservient role to Adam during sexual intercourse and so deserting him ("She said, ‘I will not lie below,’ and he said, ‘I will not lie beneath you, but only on top. For you are fit only to be in the bottom position, while I am to be the superior one.’"). Lilith promptly uttered the name of God, took to the air, and left the Garden, settling on the Red Sea coast. In this act, Lilith becomes unique in that she is not touched by Original Sin, having left the garden before Eve came into existence. Lilith also reveals herself to be powerful in her own right by knowing the name of God. . . .”

And that was officially the first divorce. 

Ps:  Hat tip to Camille.

Sincerely.
Eve and JW3 and Mélisande
Dirty Girl Things ©
Unrepentant.  Unpretentious.  Unconventional. ©

Next entry: Number Twenty-Nine Previous entry: Number Twenty-Seven