A. 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. You wouldn't kick holes in your walls, would you? So why do it to your soul's house?1
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.
The prohibition of tattooing consists of have an indelible inscription etched into one's skin.2
B. 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 guidelines3, they are also considered idolatrous practices because of their ritual nature--and the Torah doesn't like idolatry.
C. Another bodily injury with idolatrous roots is the practice of manually pulling one's hair out to mourn for one's dead. While grief may oft-times be powerful enough to warrant a most original haircut, it is forbidden4, because it was an accepted practice of ancient idolatrous cultures.
So are piercings. I don't understand the whole prohibition on piercings and tattoos. Piercings look great on women and I personally see nothing wrong with Zionist tattoos or US Navy type tattoos. Obviously you're not marking yourself with a polytheistic symbol if you're getting a Zionist tattoo. I'm Secular but I still don't understand the whole point of the prohibition on Orthodox Jews.
So are piercings. I don't understand the whole prohibition on piercings and tattoos. Piercings look great on women and I personally see nothing wrong with Zionist tattoos or US Navy type tattoos. Obviously you're not marking yourself with a polytheistic symbol if you're getting a Zionist tattoo. I'm Secular but I still don't understand the whole point of the prohibition on Orthodox Jews.
So are piercings. I don't understand the whole prohibition on piercings and tattoos. Piercings look great on women and I personally see nothing wrong with Zionist tattoos or US Navy type tattoos. Obviously you're not marking yourself with a polytheistic symbol if you're getting a Zionist tattoo. I'm Secular but I still don't understand the whole point of the prohibition on Orthodox Jews.
You're not supposed to mutilate your body. I think tatoos are scary and gross.
What is wrong with Christians or other Gentiles getting tattoos?
What is wrong with Christians or other Gentiles getting tattoos?
If you are not religious, a Henna tattoo will wash off if you want to see how one looks on you for curiosity's sake
I have tattoos. I regret it. I will leave it at, "values change over time, priorities reveal themselves". There is not one single solitary day I do not regret it. I've talked it out with my Torah study leader. I am not allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery. - If anyone may benefit from my mistake, please, you can tell your loved ones that someone regrets their tattoos big time... I have about $3,500 worth of tattooing [free from a very talented friend] and every single time I see one millimeter of them... it sorrows my heart. I cannot wear shorts, or t-shirts in a Jewish crowd [I do not want to offend]. I cannot wear a kipah and shorts or t-shirt because it will shame our community.Ariel, can't you have the tattoo removed with a laser?
My fear was in having a family how can I tell my children they cannot do what their father has, foolishly, done? A man from Chabad told me, "You will not need to tell them anything if you raise them in a life of Torah, they will know and understand on their own".
I realize the sin is already done, but I am looking into removing them. I feel as if I truly hate them. I love the art, but... to need to wear long sleeve shirts 365 days a year in SFV heat... perhaps its an apt punishment as it is.
If you ever hear, "Mom and Dad I want a tattoo."
"My friend Ari would like to have a few words with you, and your future..."
BLESS HASHEM I did not get my earlobes stretched out... they don't stretch back, and in SoCal they are very popular. Aboriginal bone through the nose type stuff... and because these people also have tattoos as well... ugh... what's the solution to feeling down? Torah, Torah, Torah!!
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I have a friend, he is not Jewish, he has a "magen david/star of david" tattoo on his arm, because, "he admires the Jewish struggle". He impressed me when he told me this.
IMO for a JEW to get HEBREW tattooed on them is worse than a regular tattoo. Hebrew is a HOLY language.
It is probably worth it to get it resurfaced and taken off. I believe it is fairly expensive, but perhaps it is worth it given your feelings about it?I think it would be worth paying for, unless it's like a million dollars, or some number I could not possibly earn at my rate of pay[I make $11 an hour, and I can't get more than part time ATM]. I should stop in to a shop I pass every day and get a quote. At least before I have kids, that's truly the biggest thing. Or I worry if I meet a nice Orthodox girl when I move to Israel, her parents... I'm invested in being admirable to her parents as well, hopefully I gain a Torah scholar Father-in-law who actually enjoys spending time with his son-in-law [1st impressions are hard to get twice].
Tattooing is an explicit prohibition from the Torah. However, those who violate this prohibition may be buried in a Jewish cemetery and participate fully in all synagogue ritual. While no sanctions are imposed, the practice should continue to be discouraged as a violation of the Torah. At all times a Jew should remember that we are created b'tzelem Elokim. We are called upon to incorporate this understanding into all our decisions.
Tattoo removal is painful. You WILL get buried in a Jewish cemetery though. All Orthodox Rabbis I've talked to say that if somebody denies you the right to be buried in a Jewish cemetery, they are committing a grave sin, and they are not respecting the dead. The only time a Jewish person is not allowed to get buried in a Jewish cemetery is when he or she commits suicide.That is really good news [not about the pain!].QuoteTattooing is an explicit prohibition from the Torah. However, those who violate this prohibition may be buried in a Jewish cemetery and participate fully in all synagogue ritual. While no sanctions are imposed, the practice should continue to be discouraged as a violation of the Torah. At all times a Jew should remember that we are created b'tzelem Elokim. We are called upon to incorporate this understanding into all our decisions.
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Our_Bodies/Adorning_the_Body/Tattoos.shtml (http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Our_Bodies/Adorning_the_Body/Tattoos.shtml)
It is about the body/temple issue. It is written somewhere in first Corinthians. But also it is something that relates to paganist practics.That verse is in specific reference to seeing prostitutes. There are no principles in Christian theology that forbid tattoos.
It is about the body/temple issue. It is written somewhere in first Corinthians. But also it is something that relates to paganist practics.That verse is in specific reference to seeing prostitutes. There are no principles in Christian theology that forbid tattoos.
I don't know a thing about tattoo's however I hear about this tattoo removal system advertised all the time.It is probably worth it to get it resurfaced and taken off. I believe it is fairly expensive, but perhaps it is worth it given your feelings about it?I think it would be worth paying for, unless it's like a million dollars, or some number I could not possibly earn at my rate of pay[I make $11 an hour, and I can't get more than part time ATM]. I should stop in to a shop I pass every day and get a quote. At least before I have kids, that's truly the biggest thing. Or I worry if I meet a nice Orthodox girl when I move to Israel, her parents... I'm invested in being admirable to her parents as well, hopefully I gain a Torah scholar Father-in-law who actually enjoys spending time with his son-in-law [1st impressions are hard to get twice].
I can say to myself, "if it is expensive, at least I did not pay for the original work". I really hope it's not just a bunch of bullcrap about these things really coming off 100%, the last thing I would want is to get uglier tattoos out of the deal. I have seen a "cream" sold on TV for tattoo removal and it looks like it just ruins the tattoo, leaving just a blob of nebulous ink stain.
I passed the chance to go out on a romantic type date with a wonderful gorgeous Jewish girl because she has tattoos. I thought about it a lot, but I really believe in Torah, at 31 years old, I felt dating her might be like going backwards. Still good friends, of course, but Platonic. Aside from that, I'm on a plan to move to Israel in less than two years. I'm trying to get into shape so I can serve in the IDF. I'm always in sort of good shape, but I will be 33 then, and most IDF are 18-21 I imagine. - If anyone has tattoo removal down to a science, perhaps the Israelis might!
I think this thread was a bad idea from the start, but I don't see any principles or teachings that demonstrate that all tattoos are bad for everyone (i.e. Gentiles). I don't have any but many of my friends do and I can safely say that none of them have any pagan motivations. (These are Gentile friends, btw.)
Exactly!!It is about the body/temple issue. It is written somewhere in first Corinthians. But also it is something that relates to paganist practics.That verse is in specific reference to seeing prostitutes. There are no principles in Christian theology that forbid tattoos.
I think it imitates pagan religious practices and we shouldn't do it for that reason.
I don't have any bad feelings toward people that have them but I don't think it's right or moral to do that to your body just to put a dragon or Mickey Mouse on your skin. I think people should be able to get cosmetic tattoos though like skin-colored tattoos to cover scars, or something like that.What is wrong with a dragon or Mickey Mouse? People have the right to do what they want with their bodies, so long as nothing actually immoral takes place and they don't harm others. I am a lot more bothered by plastic surgery than tats.
I don't have any bad feelings toward people that have them but I don't think it's right or moral to do that to your body just to put a dragon or Mickey Mouse on your skin. I think people should be able to get cosmetic tattoos though like skin-colored tattoos to cover scars, or something like that.What is wrong with a dragon or Mickey Mouse? People have the right to do what they want with their bodies, so long as nothing actually immoral takes place and they don't harm others. I am a lot more bothered by plastic surgery than tats.
I already explained to that Ulli that that verse refers to sexual immorality. Jesus said it is what comes out of a man, not what goes in (the superficial) that defiles him. Therefore there is no biblical principle against tattoos for Christians/Gentiles so long as they are not evil or inappropriate in nature.
It's Christian belief that the Holy Spirit indwells us, so I think the body as a temple doctrine still stands.This sounds like a faulty exegesis that has simply passed down through the ages. G-d doesn't want us doing sinful behaviors. Actions that affect the appearance only, and do not carry a moral weight one way or the other (i.e. do not promote skankiness, idolatry, evil, drug use, etc.) are by definition neutral.
Rubystars, the verse you quoted especifically refers to sexual promiscuity with prostitutes. Whether one is Christian and takes it for a holy word or one is not Christian and so does not believe in the NT, that words show a great wisdom. For he that has sex with a prostitute becomes one flesh with her. Many men despises prostitutes and perhaps would not even befriend them in public on the other hand, they don't care about becoming spiritually one being with them. It's hypocrisy!Absolutely, Paul was speaking from Jewish doctrine here.
However, the motivation to get a tattoo, not a tattoo itself, sometimes expresses inner uncosnciuos craving foir frivolity and many other confused feelings ( true in my case). Therefore it's not very compatible with the Christian idea of the Holy Ghost dwelling in one's body. And for a non-Christian Gentile, perhaps, it's not advisable either. But strictly hallachically speaking, according to Judaism, tattoos are permitted to Gentiles.I don't see how tats are inherently worse than one's clothing choices. In fact they are like clothing--they can be good, bad, or neutral. Perhaps an obsession with it isn't healthy, but in and of itself how does it reflect on the condition of your soul?
I don't see how tats are inherently worse than one's clothing choices. In fact they are like clothing--they can be good, bad, or neutral. Perhaps an obsession with it isn't healthy, but in and of itself how does it reflect on the condition of your soul?
lol he meant Henna as in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehndi. Not Hanna tattos :laugh:If you are not religious, a Henna tattoo will wash off if you want to see how one looks on you for curiosity's sake
How cute...(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2695140102_99f77c1775.jpg?v=0)