Submitted by Rabbi Les Leichman on
Early Rabbinic Judaism has an incredibly rich and complex demonology. In the the hundreds of pages of the Mishnah and Talmud are to be found dozens of discussions of the origins and various species of the demons (mazzikin, shedim & rukhot), where they haunt, some of their personalities and names, how to detect and see them, how many there are, how to dispel those that cause sickness, even how they can be useful and tales of their king (Ashmedai) and queen (Agrat bat Makhlat). Join me as I explore the world of the demons as described in this vast and wonderful literature. (pictured - Contemporary depictions of bound demons, including Lilith with 'wild' hair, from incantation bowls, an early Talmud MS, and some pesky mazzikin)