Jewish Tattooing Essay

The art of tattooing has been a long and time honored tradition for many. It is the only form of art that can be with a person for an entire lifetime and for certain religions, such hinduism and buddhism, they are accepted and encouraged. While other cultures have embraced this, Judaism and the Halakha (Jewish law) strictly prohibits this form of self-expression. The prohibition of tattoos and piercings in Judaism is a forbidden act that stems from Jewish belief that our bodies are precious vessels and were created in the image of God. With tattoos growing increasingly popular all over the world, many Jewish people have begun to rethink these laws and have started to get tattoos and piercings in spite of their religious laws.

In Jewish law,

Many Jewish practices such as prayer and charity were developed as a way for individuals to evolve their spiritual individuality. Contradicting these statements would include the act of tattooing, Jews see tattoos as a form of beatification and placing focus on our physical bodies rather than our spiritual selves. There are varying views on the idea of Jews having tattoos on their skin. The Torah cannot be taken as literally as it once was as times from its creation have changed drastically. Many Jewish authorities,such as rabbis ,are lenient in their interpretation of the Torah and the aspect of tattoos. The Talmud urges followers to keep kosher, it specifies that “anyone who fails to keep kosher in any way should be subject to makkot, or 39 lashes”(Palmer). This law carries penalties for those who disobey it, yet the law for Jewish people to avoid tattoos does not carry any penalty. If a law does not carry any weight, should it be enforced as well as others and if a law constitutes its followers to endure lashes should it still be

There are several prohibited laws, ritual prohibitions such as eating pork or shellfish,mixing meat and dairy and violating the Sabbath are a large part of Jewish culture and have consequences when these laws are broken. Jewish law also prohibits ethical violations such as stealing and murder. There are numerous laws and commandments that are prohibited in Judaism, some such as murder are severe acts. These prohibitions should not be lumped with the action of obtaining a tattoo, though to many reform and orthodox Jews today they are seen on the same