Book of the Cluster

Indeed, at all times there are differences between the clothing and mannerisms of Jews and the clothing and mannerisms of non-Jews, and the same applies to their fairs, their way of riding on their animals, and the manner in which they saddle their animals. The discussion in the Gemara deals with this topic.

The reason why it was necessary for us to clarify this matter is because we have heard that a troubling custom exists throughout the land of Edom and the kingdom of Rome [i.e., Christendom], as there are many places in the exile in France where a Jew may only travel from one place to another, or from one city to another city where Jews live, if he disguises himself with clothing customarily worn by non-Jews there. Now the issue of their clothing is not such a severe prohibition, regarding using them to save oneself from danger. However, they have other customs, as non-Jews travel around while carrying specific pieces of wood and implements [i.e., crosses and other Christian ritual objects], and the only ones who carry those particular implements are known to be individuals who are going to idolatrous festivals, and they are typically on a long journey from one celebration of idol worship to another. By contrast, one who is not going to an idolatrous festival will not take with him those pieces of wood, stones, or implements. It is well established among them that if bandits are on the roads, or members of a neighboring, warring kingdom who will loot and plunder passers-by, those pillagers will leave alone anyone who is traveling with such pieces of wood or implements, due to their worship of their idol, and they will take nothing from them.

In my opinion, it seems correct that it is prohibited for a Jew to travel from one place to another with such implements, in the guise of a non-Jew. One who does so is considered as though he has denied the essentials of our faith. After all, who forced them into this situation, just to do some business and earn a profit? Granted, one who is alone in a place full of non-Jews, and who fears for his life, such a person may act in this manner because he is in mortal danger. However, one who travels along such paths of his own initiative, and proceeds to save himself by carrying those implements, has certainly performed a great transgression. All the more so, if he sews the form of a cross on his garment—which is something innovated by the wicked kingdom—he has performed a terrible sin and has virtually denied the essence of our faith. Even though the only things that override life-threatening situations are idolatry, sexual immorality, and bloodshed, at a time of persecution one should allow oneself to be killed rather than violate even a minor commandment. The rule that one may transgress a regular prohibition when it is not a time of persecution applies only in private, but if it is in public—meaning in the presence of ten Jews—one should allow oneself to be killed rather than violate any commandment [see b. Sanhedrin 74a].