Jewish Views On Tattoos

What does Judaism say about tattoos?

• The body is the sanctuary of the soul, and just like a sound mind deserves a sound body, so does the soul.

• Tattoos, hazing cuts, permanent discoloring of the skin or other destructive insults to the body are prohibited.

• Another reason for this prohibition is because it was a common practice in ancient times for people to brand themselves as "slaves" of their idols.

• "Time was when I despised the body:But then I saw the God within.The Body I realized is the Lord's temple;And so I began preserving it with care infinite."

-Thirumoolar

You wouldn't kick holes in your walls, would

you? So why do it to your soul's house? • In ancient times, and probably in some cultures today,

deep cuts or other such injuries were inflicted on one's self in mourning for a lost loved one.

• Besides being a violation of the Torah's body-maintenance guidelines, they are also considered idolatrous practices because of their ritual nature--and the Torah doesn't like idolatry.

• We judge ourselves by our best intentions and most noble acts but we will be judged by our last worst act.

-Michael Josephson

If I get a tattoo, can I still be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

• In general, Jewish law does not permit the intentional defacement of the human body, and this applies to tattoos. Also, after the Holocaust, many Jews are repulsed by the idea of marking their bodies in the way that the Nazis marked the bodies of their victims.

• However, no rabbi or Jewish cemetery would refuse to bury a Jew because their body had a tattoo.

• "The Soul is the voice of the body's interests."

-George Santyana

Is it possible to convert to Judaism with a tattoo?

• Jewish law prohibits tattooing in the first place, but does not require removal of one that is already there.

• "We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision."

-Gary Collins

Tattoos in relation to the holocaust

• Some people say that it is disrespectful to survivors of the holocaust to get a tattoo because they were forced into getting them….this boy has a question about that theory.

What are your views on tattoos and Jews?

Should Jews be allowed to get them?

In your opinion is it offensive to Holocaust Survivors?

Henna is temporary so it is not harming your body or soul. But next time you think of getting a

permenant tattoo think about the consequences and think about

your religion.