Esther 4:1-2 - When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.
I wonder why a person wearing sackcloth was not allowed to enter the king's gate. Was this the only type of attire that was forbidden? Was there a dress code -- like "tux with tails" or "shirt and tie" -- that was required? Was this the only place (or the only gate) that had this restriction? Were Jews the only ones who ever wore sackcloth? If others wore it, was it for the same reasons that Jews did? Was there something intrinsic about sackcloth for which it was forbidden, or was it what the wearing of it symbolized that kept the person out?
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