ABSTRACT
The description of the Angel of Death as being full of eyes probably symbolizes mankind's insatiable greed, but it is also a striking metaphor for the complexity of Satan's persona and the multiplicity of modalities with which he goes about his business. Some individuals sin easily, others Satan tests or tricks into sin, always working of course within the individual's own personal manifestation of the evil inclination. The Evil Inclination plays a major role in much of Jewish Humour thought and modern Jewish literature, especially, for example, many of the works of Isaac Bashevis Singer. Satan, in the persona of the Evil Inclination, promoting the commission of small sins, then gathers strength until finally the individual is completely overwhelmed. The Talmud feels that David would not have sinned with Bathsheba were it not for the meddling of Satan. The Talmud describes what happened in this way: Bathsheba was washing her hair behind a screen that concealed her from public view.
