the law is in Item 1, Measures Regarding Marriages, and Articles 1 through 7, relating to intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles. From now on, ‘The marriage of an Italian citizen of the Aryan race with a person belonging to another race is prohibited.’”
“In other words, no intermarriage.”
“Exactly.” It was not lost on Massimo that under the new Race Law, Sandro would no longer be permitted to marry Elisabetta. “Item 2, Article 8 defines what is a Jew, and Article 9 states that membership in the Jewish race must be reported and entered into official registers. This was codified before, if you recall.”
Luciano scowled. “It’s discriminatory treatment. Gentiles don’t have to do any such thing.”
Armando nodded.
“I agree.” Massimo returned to the law. “These are laws that codify injustice. Nevertheless we move on. Article 10 provides that Jews may not serve in the military, act as guardians, or be owners or managers of companies related to national defense or companies of any kind that employ a hundred or more people.” He looked up. “This is a terrible provision. Most of my clients own businesses that qualify. This will ruin my practice.”
Luciano groaned. “Me, too.”
Armando’s face fell. “I’ll go bankrupt.”
Massimo remained on course. His friends needed his guidance, not his emotions. “Section D provides that Jews cannot own land valued over five thousand lire, which I believe we all do. Section E provides Jews can’t own any urban buildings with a taxable value of over twenty thousand lire, which includes me.”
Luciano pursed his lips. “We live in the suburbs, but my wife’s family owns the house.”
Armando plopped his chin into his hand. “I own my house, too. Or I used to, until today.”
Massimo nodded. “One could form a corporate entity and transfer the property to it, transfer the property to non-Jewish members of the family or to trusted friends, or even transfer it to a charitable institution.”
Luciano nodded. “But wouldn’t that be considered a fraudulent transfer?”
“In theory, but not as a practical matter. From my research, there’s only a handful of people set up to administer this law. They’re going to be deluged with applications for exemptions. I doubt they’ll get to questioning transfers of property, valid on their face.”
Armando added, “True, no one has ever extolled the efficiency of the Roman bureaucracy.”
Massimo moved on. “Article 12 provides Jews may not employ Gentile servants. We lose our housekeeper, Cornelia, who needs the job.”
Luciano nodded. “We hired a nurse for my youngest, since my wife got so sick.”
Massimo pushed his glasses up. “Article 13 excludes Jews from employment in any public capacity, including the Fascist Party. Many people in our Community are going to lose their jobs.” He straightened. “But now we come to the most important part. The discriminazioni—the exemptions, or those to whom the laws do not apply. There are categories of exemptions. First, for various types of veterans, and under Number 4, those who were Fascists in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922, and the second half of 1924.”
Luciano leaned over. “That’s you, isn’t it, Massimo? You’re a Fascist of the First Hour, so you’re exempted, aren’t you?”
“Close, but not technically. I joined in 1923.”
“We’re not Fascists. There are no exemptions for us.”
“Yes, there are.” Massimo pointed to the last provision. “This brings me to my strategy. There is an express exemption for any Jew with ‘exceptional merits,’ to be evaluated according to Article 16.”
Armando scoffed. “That’s a catchall term. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“I beg to differ,” Massimo corrected him. “Article 16 is going to be our salvation. The tax code works in the same way. It contains terms that invite ambiguity, and when I see them, I turn that disadvantage to an advantage.” He ran his finger down the page. “For example, I think the exemption for exceptional merits applies to both of you. You both served in the Great War, and I believe one of you even received a medal for valor, didn’t you?”
“I did,” Luciano answered proudly.
“What else is a medal, if not an example of exceptional merit? I served as an army officer in the Twenty-Ninth Piedmont Infantry, and I will be sure to include my military service on my own application. Likewise, you’re both leaders in the business community, which is exceptional, per se.” Massimo grew encouraged. “Do you see? The provision has to mean something. All we have to do is come up with rationales to construe it in a way that exempts the most members of our Community.”
Armando frowned. “But this law intends