Shedim

**Shedim** are a unique class of Demon in Jewish beliefs. Both times the name appears in the Tanakh, as well as the Kabbalah. A female Shedim are also called *Shedah.*

## **Characteristics**

Shedim (Hebrew: שֵׁדִים‎) are spirits in early Jewish writings. However, they are not necessarily equivalent to the modern connotation of Demons as evil entities as the Shedim only attack when provoked or angered.

The creation of the first Shedim varies widely. According to one legend, the first Shedim are descendants of serpents, or of Demons in the form of serpents, alluding to the serpent in Eden as related in Genesis. According to another common belief, they were originally first created by Lilith, from her union with Adam and other men. Another legend said that God created them on the sixth day, he had started making their bodies but did not complete their creation because he was resting during the Sabbath. Even after the Sabbath, he left them how they were to show that when the Sabbath comes, all work must be viewed as complete. The people who build the Tower of Babel were divided by their motivations into three groups. Those who wished to wage war against God were transformed into Shedim. The Zohar describes them as creations of Azazel and Naamah.

Shedim are said to share some characteristics both of humans and Angels. Like Angels, they have wings, **but like humans they must eat, drink, procreate and then they eventually die.** They can also cause sickness and misfortune. To see if the Shedim were present in some place, ashes were thrown to the ground or floor, and then their footsteps became visible.

*In three ways they are like ministering angels: They have wings like ministering angels; and they fly from one end of the world to the other like ministering angels; and they know what will be in the future like ministering angels. And in three ways they are similar to humans: They eat and drink like humans; they multiply like humans; and they die like humans.* **—- Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 16a**

There are many things that one is admonished not to do in order to avoid invoking Shedim, such as whistling or even saying the word "Shedim". Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg wrote in his will and testament that one should not seal up windows completely because it traps Shedim in the house.

## **Powers and Abilities**

Shedim are powerful enough to instill fear in other Demons.

* **Super Strength**- Shedim are very powerful creatures, their strength is feared by other Demons, and even Angels.
* **Super Senses**- Like real birds, they possess an enhanced sense of sight and hearing.
* **Medium Invulnerability** - Although they are mortal, they cannot be killed by conventional weapons or methods.
* **Invisibility**- Shedim are naturally invisible as humans cannot perceive them.
* **Foresight**- Shedim are able to see glimpses into the future, and know things before they happen.
* **Biokinesis**- They are able to inflict humans with sickness and disease.
* **Reality Warping**- They possess some control over the laws of reality, as they can cause misfortune and bad luck.
* **Astral Perception**- They are able to perceive things that which is dead.
* **Flight**- With their bird-like wings, they are able to fly.
* **Shapeshifting** - Shedim can take a more human form while on Earth.

## **Weaknesses**

* **Deities** - Gods can smite any Shedim.
* **Angels** - While most Angels fear them, Archangels and Seraphim are strong enough to kill one.
* **Holy Water** - Will burn a Shedim upon contact.
* **Mortality** - Unlike most other Demons, Shedim are vulnerable to aging and disease as they will eventually die.
* **Ash** - A Shedim's footprints can be seen if ash is thrown on the floor.
* **Locked Windows** - Shedim can be imprisoned inside of a house if all the windows are locked and sealed completely.
* **Exorcism** - Shedim can be exorcised back to Hell.