Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Orach Chaim/303

1. The Laws Pertaining to a Woman’s Ornaments, 27 Seifim: A woman may not go out [to the public domain on Shabbat] with strands of wool, strands of flax, or strips [of leather] wound around [the hair on] her head. This is a decree [enacted by our Sages] lest she be [required] to immerse herself [in the mikveh]on Shabbos. If she would be granted license to go out wearing these strands or strips, she might also go to the mikveh while [wearing] them. We are concerned lest she walk 4 amos in the public domain. If the strands and straps are braided into her hair, she is permitted to go out wearing them. There is one [opinion] who forbids this. If the strands are (hollow and formed like a net) ([and] woven) it is permitted because she would not be required to remove them during immersion. RAMA: And also so they will not be soiled or gilded, because in that instance as well, she is careful to remove them before immersion so that the mud will not dissolve in the water [and soil her body when she emerges from her immersion].

2. A woman is allowed to go out [wearing] strands wound around her neck which are loose, and she is not required to remove them at the time of immersion. However, [going out] with a choker is forbidden because she must remove it at the time of immersion; [Why?] since she “chokes” herself with this strap in order to appear plump. (Note: In that era, it was considered attractive for a woman to appear plump. Some explain the rationale: Hunger was prevalent and being well-fed was a sign of prestige). And we worry that maybe she will travel little by little 4 amos in the public domain. Similarly, a woman should not go out wearing a totefes. [That term refers to an ornament] like a forehead plate that extends from ear to ear. Nor may she go out with a sharvitin. This is also a type of headband wrapped around her head, [with strands] hanging down on her cheeks from both sides. The restriction applies provided these strands are not sewn into her hairnet, for then there is room for concern that she might remove them to show to her friends and walk thusly 4 amos in the public domain. By contrast, there is no such concern if [the strands] are sewn into her hairnet, for she will certainly not remove them together with her hairnet, so as not to reveal her hair. (Note: For a married woman’s hair is considered as “nakedness” (Berachos 24a). Uncovering it is a sign of immodesty (Kesubos 72a). RAMA: And there are those who say that regarding an unmarried woman, who is not concerned about her hair being uncovered, it is forbidden to go [wearing such strands] even if they are sewn to her hairnet, because it is possible that she will remove them [together] with the hairnet to display their beauty and afterwards forget [that it is Shabbos]and carry them by hand.

3. A woman should not go out [wearing] a woolen head covering, which are threads of cotton which are harvested and worked when they are removed. (Explanation: like vessels that are made like Lulavs of the palm trees which are woven. This is not like an itztima, i.e., a cloth from which are hung multi-colored [woolen] strands, which are made by themselves as explained in the Gemara there). Its width is two fingerbreadths wide, the width of [the Kohen Gadol’s] forehead plate. [A woman should] not [go out wearing] an itztima, a cloth from which are hung multi-colored [woolen] strands. Such [a cloth] is hung in front of a bride to chase away the flies from her.

4. She should not go out wearing “a golden city.” (See Shabbos 57a. Rabbi Akiva had such an ornament made for his wife (ibid. 59b). Rashi explains that this is a circular ornament on which an image of a city is formed (note: usually of Jerusalem). It has a protrusion in its center with which it is fastened to [a woman’s] garment. And Rabbeinu Tam explains (Tosafos, Shabbos 59a) that this is an ornament resembling a crown [worn] on the head.

5. A woman may go out wearing a kelilah - an ornament which is placed on her forehead from ear to ear and is fastened with straps which are hung. This is so whether it was made of golden links strung on a thread or of golden links affixed to a cloth.

6. It is permitted [for a woman] to go out [wearing] a resokia, i.e., a wide piece [of material] from a cape, provided it has short strands hanging from it with which to tie and fasten it around her. If it has no strands it is forbidden.

7. A woman may not go out with a katlah (choker), which is a garment that has a place for laces, similar to those [holes for laces] made for pants. She inserts a thick strap [in these holes] and ties the strap around her neck. The garment is hung around her neck and [extends] to the area of her heart and it is important, and is decorated with gold.

8. A woman should not go out wearing nose rings; She may, however, go out wearing earrings. RAMA: Because her ears are covered. And in a place where it is customary to reveal the ears it is forbidden to go out with rings in them. Where (is this)? Where it is the usual way to take them out (Or Zarua)

9. A woman may not go out with a pin. And if she does go out like this she is liable. If it is a needle, and it is used to close her garments together, it is permitted to go out with it. And if not, then it is forbidden.

10. A woman may not go out with a signet ring; and if she does go out with it, she is liable. If it has no signet, she should not go out, but if she does she is exempt.

11. A woman should not go out [wearing] a brooch, i.e., an ornament that joins the openings of her cloak, nor [wearing] a koveles, i.e., a knotted bag [which hangs from her neck] containing spices that produce a pleasant fragrance.

12. [The following laws apply] if [a woman] is missing a tooth and she inserts a [false] tooth in its place: If [the false tooth] is [made from] gold, she should not go out wearing it, because its appearance is different from that of her other teeth. Possibly, she will be laughed at [for wearing it] and she will remove it from [her mouth] with her hand and forget [that it is Shabbos] and carry it. If, however, [the tooth] is [made of] silver, its appearance bears a [closer] resemblance to her other teeth and she is permitted to go out wearing it. Certainly this applies if [the false tooth] is a human tooth.

13. [A woman] should not go out [wearing] a shoe whose top is torn, lest she be laughed at because of it, and [hence, she might] remove it from her foot and bring it in her hand. Nor should she go out [wearing] a new shoe that she has yet to walk in, for perhaps it will not fit the measure of her foot (and she might remove it and bring it in her hand). If, however, she tried walking in it during the previous day, [it is permitted]. However, a man is permitted to do this because he is not so particular about this. RAMA: And regarding other clothes (that are torn or new), we do not worry about this, even as regards a woman.

14. [A woman] may go out [wearing] strands of hair that are wound around her own hair, whether they are made from hair or from other things, and even if made from the hair of an animal, except an older woman should go out with the [hair of] a younger women and vice versa.

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