According to Jewish tradition, there are three gates to
Gehinnom, one in the desert, one in the sea, and one in
Jerusalem: In the desert, as it is written (Numb. xvi. 33),
"They went down, and all that belonged to them, alive into
hell." In the sea, as it is written (Jonah ii. 2), "Out of the
belly of hell have I called," etc. In Jerusalem, as it is
written (Isa. xxxi. 9), "Thus saith the Lord, whose fire is in
Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem."

When two women are seen sitting on opposite sides of a cross road facing
each other, it is to be presumed that they are up to witchcraft and
contemplate mischief. What in that case must you do? Go by another road,
if there is one, and if not, with a companion, should such turn up,
passing the crones arm-in-arm with him; but should there be no other
road and no other man, then walk straight on repeating the
counter-charm, as you pass them--

Agrath is to Asia gone,
And Blussia's killed in battle.

_P'sachim_, fol. 111, col. 2.

Agrath and Blussia are two Amazons well known to those familiar
with Rabbinic demonology.

"If Mordecai, before whom thou hast began to fall, be of the seed of the
Jews, expect not to prevail against him, but thou shalt fall" (Esth. vi.
13). Wherefore these two fallings? They told Haman, saying, "This nation
is likened to the dust, and is also likened to the stars; when they are