Sumptuary Laws, Italy, 1416-1418 Communal Ordinance

 

In order to humble our hearts, conduct ourselves modestly before the Lord our God and avoid displaying our wealth before the Christians, we have agreed to the following regulations. They shall apply from this day until the conclusion of the previously established term.

No Jewish man or woman in the communities, towns or villages recorded above may wear a fur-lined jacket unless it is black. Its sleeves may not be open or lined with silk.

People who already own fur-lined jackets of another color may continue wearing them if the sleeves are closed and the garments are fastened at the front, sides and back.

Neither a man nor a woman may wear a cloak made with sable, ermine, mixed fur, red material, muslin or violet-colored fabric. A cloak may be lined with fur if none of the fur appears on its outer surface.

Women who already own fur-lined cloaks with open sleeves may wear them inside their homes. They may not wear them publicly unless the sleeves have been sewn closed or the entire garment is concealed beneath another cloak. Women’s fur-lined garments must be made, as far as possible, so that the fur can’t be seen.

No man may publicly wear a silk or velvet jacket unless it is completely concealed. Women likewise may not wear visible garments of silk or velvet or clothing decorated with fringes, except around the neck or sleeves.

A woman may not wear an exposed necklace or a gold hairnet. A bride may wear an uncovered gold hairnet for thirty days following her wedding, after which it must be covered by a veil.

A man may not publicly wear a belt with a silver buckle weighing more than six ounces or one covered with velvet. He may wear no more than one gold ring. Women may wear no more than two or three rings and may not publicly wear a belt containing more than ten ounces of silver.

Anyone who violates these rules governing clothing and ornaments shall pay ten silver bolognini to the city treasury for each offense. Husbands shall be held responsible for violations committed by their wives.

Anyone who refuses to obey the ordinance shall not be counted as part of a prayer quorum, called to read from the Torah or permitted to perform gelilah.

No more than three women and two female servants may walk together in the streets except while performing a religious duty. Women may not promenade through the streets and avenues except on festivals, when they shall remain subject to the same limit. Husbands shall be responsible for their wives’ observance of this provision.

No Jew may invite more than twenty men, ten women and five girls to a wedding banquet. This number shall include guests from the city and from elsewhere but shall not include relatives through the degree of second cousins.

When a bride comes from another town, the party accompanying her shall be limited to ten horsemen and four attendants traveling on foot. A circumcision celebration may include no more than ten men and five women in addition to relatives.

Anyone exceeding the permitted number shall pay one ducat to the synagogue for each additional guest.

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