Transcript Jewish_Views_On_Tattoos

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 bodymaintenance 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.