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Abstract

The generally accepted story of the creation of the world is the creation of the first man (Adam) as male and then the creation of a woman (Eve) from him and for him. However, accounts of the co-creation of man and woman suggest that Adam had another wife before Eve, hence the legend of Lilith. Lilith, who is also mentioned in Jewish sacred texts such as the Talmud, Midrash and Zohar, is also depicted in the non-Jewish alphabet Ben Sira. Thus, Lilith was Adam's first wife, could not get along with him, and left Adam and paradise, claiming that they were equal since they were created equally. Lilith and Eve are mythological figures symbolizing the opposite poles of female identity and morality. In sacred texts, the events that led to the serpent-demon (Lilith) persuading Eve to eat the “forbidden fruit” were transformed into the image of two hostile characters in works of art. Today, feminists consider her the first woman to rebel against male domination. Today in the Judeo-Christian tradition, all the ancient goddesses are resurrected as Lilith because negative sexist portrayals of women are frowned upon. Lilith is the antithesis of feminist ideology, which Judaism presents as a female devil and incites hatred of women. Therefore, it can be said that understanding Lilith is the basis for understanding feminism.

Keywords

Lilith, Feminist theology, Jewish mythology, Patriarchy, Gender studies

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