Birth Basics Cutting the cloth: A Sephardi celebration of pregnancy Michele Klein Mazal Tov: Jewish astrology and lucky stars Michele Klein Amulets, angels and invocations: Magical remedies for protecting pregnancy Michele Klein Naming a Jewish child: An historical perspective Michele Klein Circumcision: A widespread and ancient ritual Nahum M. Sarna Circumcision in Israel: A token of dedication and commitment to God Nahum Sarna Elijah's Chair: Or: The prophet was zealous and the chair came in handy Boy or girl: Determining the sex in medieval times Joshua Trachtenberg On the birth of a daughter: One of the first naming ceremonies Daniel I. Leifer and Myra Leifer An Italian, Jewish prayer for nursing   Translated by Nina Beth Cardin Weaning ceremonies through the ages Protecting mother and newborn: Folk methods from medieval times Cuando el rey Nimrod (When Nimrod went into the fields): A Ladino folksong sung at the brit millah Yossi Zucker First names: From Isaac to Zahi: Jewish first names through the ages Prof. Aaron Demsky