Editing Lilith (section)

=== Alsatian Krasmesser (16th to 20th century) ===
Not so much an [[amulet]] as a ritual object for protection, the "Krasmesser" (or "Kreismesser", circle knife) played a role in Jewish birth rituals in the area of [[Alsace]], [[Switzerland]] and Southern Germany between the 16th and 20th century. The Krasmesser would be used by a [[midwife]] or by the husband to draw a [[magic circle]] around the pregnant or birthing woman to protect her from Lilith and the [[evil eye]], which were considered to represent the greatest danger for children and pregnant women.<ref name="Lubrich-2022">{{Cite book |title=Birth Culture. Jewish Testimonies from Rural Switzerland and Environs |year=2022 |isbn=978-3796546075 |editor-last=Lubrich |editor-first=Naomi |location=Basel |pages=9–35 |language=de, en}}</ref>

Rabbi Naphtali Hirsch ben Elieser Treves described this custom as early as 1560, and later references to a knife or sword by the birthing bed by both [[Paul Christian Kirchner]] and [[Johann Christian Georg Bodenschatz]] indicate its continuance. A publication about birth customs by the [[Jewish Museum of Switzerland]] also includes oral accounts from 20th century [[Baden-Württemberg]] which likewise mention circling movements with a knife in order to protect a woman in childbirth.<ref name="Lubrich-2022" />