Grida sopra gli Ebrei.

(ITALY)

Eredi di Bartolomeo Soliani, Stampatori Ducali, 16 April

Modena

1755

At top, ducal crest. Initial richly historiated.

Regulations concerning the Jewish Ghetto of Modena. Above and beyond the physical sequestration of the Jews from their Christian neighbors, several clauses here were designed to ensure that no social intercourse took place between the two populations. Thus in paragraph 7, Christians are barred from participating in Jewish celebrations such as circumcision, feasts and balls. In paragraph 8, Jews are prohibited from employing Christian servants, especially on Friday night. Nor could a Jew teach Christian students science, reading, accounting, singing or dancing (par. 9). Nonetheless, despite the imposed segregation, Jews were permitted to enroll in guilds and practice all manner of professional activity. Several of the final paragraphs provide that the Jews of the Duchy not be subject to harassment. For example, paragraph 20 states that neither at Carnaval nor at any other time of year is it permitted to ridicule the Mosaic Law or Jewish rites.