E04219: Law of King Ervig ordering that all the Jews living in the Visigothic kingdom should abstain from work on Sundays and on the major Christian festivities, among them the feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033). Latin law issued in 680 in Spain and included in the codification known as Lex Visigothorum.

Lex Visigothorum, Book XII, Chapter 3, § 6

VI. FLAVIUS GLORIOSUS ERVIGIUS REX.

Ut omnis Iudeus diebus dominicis et in prenotatis festivitatibus ab opere cesset.

In nullo est dubium, illum manifeste fidei catholice adversari, qui reverentiam diebus dominicis non inpendit. Unde negatores vel disturbatores fidei nostre iustissime insequentes id religiosa sanctione iubemus, ut sive sit Iudeus sive Iudea quodlibet opus rurale diebus dominicis exercens vel laneficia faciens seu quascumque operationes in domibus, agris vel ceteris talibus agens, extra quam nobilium honesta christianorum consuetudo permittit, presumtor huius rei decalvatus verberibus centenis subiaceat. Quod si forsitan servi eorum vel ancille in his et talibus diebus repperiantur supradictis laboribus occupati, tunc et ipsi simili sunt sententia feriendi; domini tamen eorum, si servos suos permiserint talia agere, C solidos auri fisco conpellendi sunt reddere. Dies tamen ipsi, qui ab isdem Iudeis sollicita devotione sunt observandi, hii sunt: id est festum virginis sancte Marie, quo gloriosa conceptio eiusdem genitricis Domini celebratur, item natalis Christi vel circumcisionis sive apparitionis sue dies, Pasca quoque sanctum vel dies sacratissimi octavarum, inventionis quoque crucis dominice festum necnon et ascensionis dominice diem vel Pentecosten seu etiam concurrentes per totum annum dies dominicos, religiosa Christi fide venerabiles dies.


'VI. The glorious king Flavius Ervig.

Every Jew shall cease from labour on Sunday, and on all appointed holidays.

There is no doubt that one who does not treat Sunday with due reverence is an open enemy of the Catholic faith. Hence, while we are justly pursuing those who deny or disobey our faith, we therefore decree with divine sanction, that if a Jewish man or woman does any rural work on the Lord's day, or weaves wool or performs any work at home, on the land, etc. beyond that which the honourable custom of good Christians permits, such a transgressor shall have his head shaved, and shall receive a hundred lashes. If their slaves, of either sex, are found on those days occupied in such works, they also shall be liable to the aforementioned punishment. If their masters permit them to work in this manner, they shall be compelled to pay a hundred solidi in gold to the treasury. Those days which shall be devoutly observed by the Jews, are as follows: the feast of the Holy Virgin Mary, during which the glorious Conception of the Mother of God is celebrated, then the birth of Christ and his Circumcision and day of Epiphany and Circumcision (that is Epiphany), Easter and the days of the most holy octave, the feast of the Invention of the Cross, the Day of the Ascension, Pentecost, and Sundays throughout the entire year which are the days venerated by the divine faith of Christ.'

Text: Zeumer 1902, 435-436. Translation: M. Szada.