Our world has returned to the generation of the Flood
Everyone loves visiting the enchanting city of Venice. It’s like walking into the inside of a real-life fairy tale, charming bridges over picturesque canals lined with jaw-dropping palazzos. Throw in hundreds of years of Jewish history and you can walk in the footsteps of the Levush, the Chidah, and the Ramchal.
Venice is also synonymous with its Carnival festival. Since 1162, Venetians would throw wild parties before Lent, a 40-day period in their religious calendar when they would abstain, among other things, from eating meat. Carnival is derived from carnis levare which literally means “remove meat.”
In the 14th century a new twist was added to the festivities. Venetians would parade in ornate masks and elaborate costumes that allowed them to hide their true identities. Class divisions instantly disappeared. Immoral behavior was rampant. Furthermore, the doge (Venetian duke) would allow mask wearers to write political charges or scandalous letters against anyone they chose and place the accusations in a box in front of the palace. The box still stands today.
The rabbanim of Venice were horrified. This was a catastrophe for the kehillah’s kedushah, especially their youth, who would mingle with the crowds and do lowly aveiros while hiding behind their masks. Cheremim (severe censures) were placed on anyone who participated.
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