Angels, Demons, Ghosts, and Monsters

This volume introduces Elyonim veTachtonim, a novel system for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of supernatural entities. Combining close reading, cognitive theory of religion, and digital humanities, it uncovers underlying patterns in their depiction in the Babylonian Talmud. The study shows that sages portrayed themselves as angels guided by the ghosts of past generations; demons embodied social and moral disruptors; and monsters remained at the narrative margins as remnants of biblical lore. Although focused on the Talmud, the book offers a flexible analytical framework applicable to other texts and media.