Responsa for Shabbat 115:6
וכי הא דא"ל שמואל לרב חיננא בר שילא כולהו רבנן דבי ריש גלותא לא ליפקו בסרבלי חתימי לבר מינך דלא קפדי עליך דבי ריש גלותא:
may go out with a cloak bearing a seal, except you, because the house of the Resh Galutha is not particular about you.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' From this it appears that some scholars wore a badge to indicate that they belonged to the retinue of the exilarch, and were possibly in the position of his clients. He was also evidently very particular about this, so that if the seal fell off one might fold up the garment to hide its absence. ');"><sup>6</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. May a person attach a metal buckle to his girdle as an ornament, and then file the buckle into the shape of a key with which he can unlock the door of his house, and then wear this buckle on the Sabbath?
A. People do not usually wear metal keys on their girdles as ornaments. Therefore, this key is not considered an ornament and he is not permitted to wear it on the Sabbath.
SOURCES: Pr. 532; Mord. Shabb. 350; Hag. Maim. to Shabbat, 19, 4. Cf. Maharil, Responsa 84.
A. People do not usually wear metal keys on their girdles as ornaments. Therefore, this key is not considered an ornament and he is not permitted to wear it on the Sabbath.
SOURCES: Pr. 532; Mord. Shabb. 350; Hag. Maim. to Shabbat, 19, 4. Cf. Maharil, Responsa 84.
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