Dressing Up Yourself and Your Surroundings

From the 495 BCE to the present we've played dress up.  I was surprised at the Bible Lands Museum. Besides a fabulous exhibit of ancient artifacts from the Dead Sea Scrolls until the 19th century in Italy, a wonderfully illuminated Scroll of Esther.  These artifacts are the Hobby Lobby owner in the US.

This is a beautiful example of a 17th century illuminated manuscript from Italy.

The following exhibit is from the Israel Museum, Dress Codes, Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe.

"What should I wear?" 

"Can I find it at Goodwill?"  

The clothes in this exhibition are often identical to the clothes of their non-Jewish neighbors.  'The extent to which a woman is concealed by her clothing remains a timely issue.  It raises the issue of free choice versus social pressure, and has inspired a fierce debate as to whether such degrees of modesty represent a positive assertion of religious identity or a form of coercion.'

17th century dress of Polish Noblemen (the current dress of some Hasidim) was not featured in this exhibition.  Below is an expandable garment for a bride.  Eat as much as you can! You're worth your weight in gold!

   How adorable is this wonderful manuscript for counting the Omer?!

Jewish synagogues in Cochin, India, Tunisia, and Italy were moved brick by brick to the Israel Museum.

Naturally, one can attend other synagogues with these traditions in Jerusalem.  I understand that the Italian synagogue has the best dressed congregants.

Below is "The Last Supper."  Compare it with the original!  Is this the last supper for these soldiers?