Tattoos are a Shanda?
If I got a Star of David etched into my arm, I know my mom would kvetch because she believes that I wouldn’t be allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Even though she is incorrect since no textual evidence exists to back her claim, a Jewish prohibition on tattoos exists for maintaining a sense of holiness.
"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28). There you go. The Torah, or the Five Books of Moses, or the Old Testament, or whatever you call it, states that tattoos are illegal, right? Well, this biblical statement is somewhat vague. Are tattoos really a part of this prohibited act? Why is tattooing a culpable act?
As a Jew, I like reading Jewish texts that help explain and comment on halakhah, or Jewish Law. The Mishnah, which is a transcribed version of the Oral Torah written by respectable rabbis between 70-200 CE, states that "If a man wrote [on his skin] pricked-in writing, he is not culpable unless he writes it and pricks it in with ink or eye-paint or anything that leaves a lasting mark" (Mishnah Makkot 3:6). This declaration helps specify that tattooing would be prohibited. However, the passage does not address the reasoning behind banning tattooing.
One of my favorite Jewish philosophers, Moses Maimonides, explains that “[tattooing] was a custom among the pagans who marked themselves for idolatry" (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry 12:11). Considering that Judaism is a monotheistic religion, permanently displaying an “I love Mom” tattoo, as sappy as that may seem, on my arm would be a major no-no since that could be considered idolatry. That would be violating the second commandment in the Decalogue: “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4).
So Jews can’t idol their bodies? Actually, by banning body art, Jews have maintained that their bodies are shrines. A Jewish concept called b'tzelem Elohim, or image of God, comes into play here. The belief is that our bodies are fashioned in God’s image, so our bodies are viewed as a prized possession. Therefore, through keeping my body pure of permanent body art or idolatrous symbols, I will maintain a sense of holiness and perhaps make one step closer towards gaining insight from God. In a practical sense, I will just feel more attuned with my spirituality.
Whenever I notice a student on campus displaying an artistic tattoo, my mom’s voice pops into my head: “Tattoos are a shanda!” Yes, my religious faith has banned tattooing. Yes, my religious faith has brought me to believe that tattooing is not right for me. But Judaism’s principles have not stopped all Jews from displaying tattoos. These tattoos may actually affirm their faith. After all, it must take a lot of courage to permanently display something on one’s body. I know I wouldn’t want a saggy star of david on my shoulder when I’m 80. I’m fermisht just thinking about it.
Comments
Posted by: franco
Posted on: September 23, 2007 01:14 PM
Good job doing all that research on the Talmud! I love all the Yiddish expressions, your mom says exactly what my mom would say! Jewish mothers...
Posted by: Andre
Posted on: September 26, 2007 11:43 PM
test
Posted by: Nick
Posted on: November 15, 2007 01:08 AM
Wow, a lot of research. I've always been told that a tattoo was 'unholy' and has slightly held me back from getting a tattoo but I've never thought about doing the research like you have.
I must admit, that is one impressive sketch.
- Nick
http://nsaconsult.com/blog/
Posted by: Misha
Posted on: March 4, 2008 11:50 PM
I too am thinking of getting a tattoo or two. I am really interested in getting a star of david and the hebrew writing for god. If tattooing is bad because of idolatry, wouldn't symbols in representation of god, not break these "rules"?
Posted by:
Posted on: July 10, 2008 06:57 PM
that is one GREAT TAT!!!!
Posted by:
Posted on: July 10, 2008 06:57 PM
that is one GREAT TAT!!!!
Posted by:
Posted on: July 10, 2008 06:57 PM
that is one GREAT TAT!!!!
Posted by: Ross
Posted on: September 4, 2008 09:24 PM
I really appreciate you posting about this in such detail, and with such thought. I'm thinking about getting must first tattoo, because well, so many of my friends have them, and because I think they can be awesome. But I've been hesitant until know because of this almost mythical claim that it's against Judaism to do so. I dig your ink by the way. Will you get more?
Posted by: Jack
Posted on: September 11, 2008 05:46 PM
Tattoos are a Shanda?
Posted by: Celtic Cross Tattoos
Posted on: September 27, 2008 06:10 PM
Very interesting post. Coming from a Christian background, I struggled with this issue before getting my first tattoo, which was a Celtic cross tattoo. It's interesting to get a perspective like this from other religious backgrounds. Thanks!
Mike
Posted by: free tattoo designs
Posted on: January 9, 2009 01:55 PM
your mom says exactly what every mom would say!
Posted by: Lauren
Posted on: March 4, 2009 09:07 PM
I like it =)
- Lauren
How To French Kiss
Posted by: livia
Posted on: August 29, 2009 01:18 PM
I do not think there should be any strict rules on whether one should get a tatto. this is 21st century man!.by the way, you can check my new website at Kitchen Hand Mixer
Posted by: lauren
Posted on: August 29, 2009 01:21 PM
this is good
Posted by: Tattoo Fading Balm
Posted on: September 11, 2009 09:08 AM
I think that tat is awesome, but remember, they are permanent. If you change your mind, they do not just go away!
Posted by: At Home Whitening
Posted on: September 19, 2009 04:18 PM
I fail to see how displaying a tattoo of "I love mom" makes one an idol. Anyway, is it still true that having a tattoo can effect where one can ultimately be buried?
Blane
Posted by: Eli
Posted on: September 22, 2009 07:07 AM
I asked people in my synagogue about this. Being an inked cohain - that was even my handle for a while - gives me some interest in the subject. One scholar said, 'thou shalt not have graven images upon thy skin' was in the bible somewhere. I asked the rabbi why this was and she said because 'your body isn't yours, it's god's'
And that's why I don't practice anymore. What malarky.
Posted by: Liam
Posted on: September 27, 2009 03:39 AM
Cool tattoo. A bit religious but other than that, it's a cool tattoo.
Liam, Master cleanse
Posted by: John
Posted on: October 30, 2009 03:36 AM
The Star of David tattoo on the image was done real nice. Very impressive work of art!!
Posted by: John
Posted on: October 30, 2009 03:39 AM
The Star of David tattoo on the picture was done real nice. Very impressive work of art!!
Posted by: John
Posted on: October 30, 2009 03:40 AM
The Star of David tattoo on the picture was done real nice. Very impressive work of art!!
Posted by: CJ Tatts
Posted on: November 7, 2009 03:39 PM
Interesting and well researched blog - thanks. I must admit, I know quite a few parents who would also 'kvetch' if their children would be tattooed. I will point them to this post.