Men’s jewelry in medieval Jewish society: Nahmanides’ approach

Shalem Yahalom

doi:10.1080/17546559.2018.1531433

Men’s jewelry in medieval Jewish society: Nahmanides’ approach

Shalem Yahalom

Ariel University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

It follows that the widespread norm among men in Jewish communities in the middle ages was to adorn oneself with jewelry. In this manner, they conducted themselves as was the wont in general society. It is reasonable to assume that the average person did not bother himself with the matter of permissibility according to Jewish law, but Jewish sages did deal with it. R. Tam assumed that the norms of general society applied to Jewish society as well. Nahmanides, on the other hand, objected to men’s jewelry in principle and viewed wearing it as permissive and inappropriate since it negates the essence of masculinity. In reality, Nahmanides accepted the hierarchic norms of general society, but was careful to wear only a simple signet ring.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	59-77
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies
Volume	11
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17546559.2018.1531433
State	Published - 2 Jan 2019
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Funding

2015: Organizer of the Faculty Seminar of the Department of Israel Heritage, Ariel University 2008: Referee of Doctoral and Post-Doctoral fellowship applications for the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture 2007: Director in the Italian Genizah Project 2015: Ariel University Research Grant 2015: The Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Center for the Study of Women in Judaism Prize 2014–2017: Israel Science Foundation Grant 2013: The Sander Kolatch Prize for Publication in Rabbinic Literature 2011: The Beit Shalom Grant, Bar-Ilan University 2009–2013: Israel Science Foundation Grant 2010: The Tiger Family Prize for Legal Publication, Bar-Ilan University Law Faculty 2009: The Beit Shalom Grant, Bar-Ilan University 2009: The Sander Kolatch Prize for Publication in Rabbinic Literature 2008: The Ihal Research Center Award for Excellence in Research, Bar-Ilan University Law Faculty 2007: The Dahan Center Award for Research on Jews in the Islamic World, Bar-Ilan University 2007: The Weiler Prize, Bar-Ilan University Law Faculty 2005–2008: The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture Scholarship 2003: Post Doctorate Fellowship, the Center for Jewish Studies, Jewish Theological Semin-ary, New York 2001–2004: Presidential Fellowship, Bar-Ilan University 2001–2004: The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture Scholarship 2001: The Chay Foundation Award, Bar-Ilan University 1996–1999: Miscellaneous academic scholarships in support of M.A. studies, the Institute for Jewish Studies, Hebrew University

Funders	Funder number
Center for Jewish Studies
Chay Foundation
Department of Israel Heritage
Institute for Jewish Studies, Hebrew University
Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture
Bar-Ilan University
Israel Science Foundation
Ariel University

Keywords

Jewish law
Nahmanides
Sumptuary laws
medieval jewish society
men’s jewelry

Access to Document

10.1080/17546559.2018.1531433

Cite this

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Men’s jewelry in medieval Jewish society: Nahmanides’ approach

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

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