Lateran IV, Canon
68 - On Jews
(1215)
"In some provinces a difference in dress distinguishes
the Jews or Saracens from the Christians, but in certain others such
a confusion has grown up that they cannot be distinguished by any difference.
Thus it happens at times that through error Christians have relations
with the women of Jews or Saracens, and Jews and Saracens with Christian
women. Therefore, that they may not, under pretext of error of this
sort, excuse themselves in the future for the excesses of such prohibited
intercourse, we decree that such Jews and Saracens of both sexes in
every Christian province and at all times shall be marked off in the
eyes of the public from other peoples through the character of their
dress. Particularly, since it may be read in the writings of Moses [Numbers
15:37-41], that this very law has been enjoined upon them.
Moreover, during the last three days before Easter
and especially on Good Friday, they shall not go forth in public at
all, for the reason that some of them on these very days, as we hear,
do not blush to go forth better dressed and are not afraid to mock the
Christians who maintain the memory of the most holy Passion by wearing
signs of mourning.
This, however, we forbid most severely, that any one
should presume at all to break forth in insult to the Redeemer. And
since we ought not to ignore any insult to Him who blotted out our disgraceful
deeds, we command that such impudent fellows be checked by the secular
princes by imposing them proper punishment so that they shall not at
all presume to blaspheme Him who was crucified for us."
Sources: Medieval
Sourcebook
From H. J. Schroeder, Disciplinary Decrees of the General
Councils: Text, Translation and Commentary, (St. Louis: B. Herder, 1937).
pp. 78-127. |