Customer Reviews

Lilith-The First Eve: Historical and Psychological Aspects of the Dark Feminine

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
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This book isn't a book about Adam and Eve or popular myths. This book conatains every possible identity of the dark goddess. Prior to reading this book, I thought I knew a great deal about Lilitu, but after reading just chapters, I realized there was more to her than what appears. It provides cultural differences, names, myths, and many other aspects. Siegmund Hurwitz is an educated man who puts other writers to shame. I reccomend this book to anyone who really wants to know about the goddess.

Although I do have a degree in history, my major interest in this book was as an occultist. When I first got the book, the dryness of the language really turned me off. It felt a bit ponderous. Additionally, the author's unasked for review of Kultov's "the Book of Lilith" seemed to be building up of one's self through the tearing down of another. Upon taking a leadership position within the Temple of Lylyth, I felt I had better review some more history. I had paid for the book, so I figured I may as well read it. I actually got into it, and even quoted a few pages to the Temple's mailing list. The second part is the book's saving grace, as it talks about the psychological aspect of Lilith in modern Jewish people as manifested through dreams. They are quite symbolic, and give a deep, if confusing, look into the minds of other people.

I would recommend this book for the serious student of Lilith over and above any other, due to the fact that it clearly contextualizes Lilith both as a historical and modern phenomenon within the culture that created her. This book is also not feminist, and the images of Lilith that come from out of the minds of men may have more meaning and impact on a male reader than a feminist pro-Lilith description.

I had more expectations for this book. The author quickly lost my respect as he spent much of his effort criticizing Barbara Koltuv's book on Lilith. His dry writing did not keep my attention for long. He did have some good points and info.
If the myth of Lilith is your interest it's worth reading.

This book is pretty accurate as for the phisical mentions of Lilith in various places in history, but it would be a hard read for someone who isn't used to research jargon. I still found some of the findings vague though, rather inconclusive at times, sometimes stretching a myth to fit the tiniest possibility that it might be about Lilith.

Loved it. Definitely one of the best academic treatments of Lilith out there. HOWEVER, I will tell you that there are a number of instances in this book where I feel that Hurwitz is trying to make direct literary comparisons and/or character associations to Lilith without sufficient evidence. I'm not saying he is wrong in ALL of these comparisons, but I do think that there are times when he doesn't sufficiently support his claims.

All in all...an excellent piece of work.

I definitely recommend it!

This is the most "heady" book I've read on the subject of Lilith. Very in depth, thoroughy reviewing the many passages written about this goddess ages ago. Recommended for a more in depth analysis of this subject.