Said Rabbi Hiya: “What signify the words ‘And the sister of Tubal Cain was Naamah’ (gentleness), and wherefore was this name given her? Was it to indicate that she possessed the power of seducing both human and angelic beings?”

Said Rabbi Isaac: “She overcame Aza and Azael who in scripture are called ‘sons of God.’”

Said Rabbi Simeon: “She was the procreatrix of all the demons of Cainite origin, and she it is that along with Lilith afflicts infant children with epileptic diseases.”

Said Rabbi Abba to Rabbi Simeon: “Master, you have stated she was so called because she inspired men with carnal desires.”

Said Rabbi Simeon: “That is true, for though she excites lust in human beings, yet this does not prevent her from afflicting young children and thus she continues her operations in the world up to the present time.”

Said Rabbi Abba: “Seeing that demons and elementals are subject to death, wherefore do Naamah and Lilith continue to exist through the ages?”

Rabbi Simeon replied: “All demons and elementaries do indeed die, but Naamah and Lilith together with Agereth, daughter of Mahlath their offspring, abide in the world until the day that the Holy One will banish and drive all evil and impure spirits out of the world; as it is written, ‘And I will cause the unclean spirit to pass out of the land’ (Zach. xiii., 2). Woe unto those who are ignorant and therefore unable to avert and ward off the influence of these defiling elemental beings that swarm in their myriads throughout the world. If it were permitted to behold them, we should be amazed and confounded and wonder how the world could continue to exist. Observe that Naamah being the exciter of human concupiscence and carnality, it is obligatory on everyone to practice and perform acts and rites of purification, so that he may become and preserve himself pure and undefiled.”