Samael

Samael is a figure appearing in Jewish folklore and occult traditions. The name Samael is often interpreted as meaning "poison of God" or "blindness of God." In some traditions, Samael is identified as an angel, sometimes a chief angel, associated with the destructive forces of the cosmos. He is frequently depicted as a high-ranking angel in the angelic hierarchy, sometimes even as an archangel.

Within rabbinic literature, Samael is sometimes seen as a Satanic figure, acting as the accuser or tempter. He is often associated with the serpent in the Garden of Eden, tempting Eve. In other interpretations, Samael is not strictly evil but rather a complex, often dualistic entity representing a necessary aspect of divine justice or cosmic balance. His role can be seen as that of a prosecutor, bringing forth humanity's sins before God, or as an agent of divine punishment.

In Kabbalistic and occult writings, Samael's portrayal becomes more varied and sometimes more pronounced. He can be linked to Lilith, the first wife of Adam in some Jewish myths, and is sometimes considered the ruler of the Qliphoth, the darker aspects of the Kabbalistic tree of life. The specific attributes and nature of Samael continue to be a subject of interpretation and debate across different theological and mystical systems.