Tattoos and Taboos

In Orthodox Judaism, tattoos are strictly forbidden, as the verse says:


Lev 19:
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor imprint any marks upon you: I am the LORD.







However, inspired by the post Shaving and Sidelocks?  

the matter is not so clear.

The verse is speaking about mourning rites. and the 2 clauses are cuttings and tattoos. Does this mean that body marking or tattoos for recreational purposes are permitted?

If one is using the TeNaCh as a legal source, it might imply that to be the case.  Body piercing, weather traditional ear piercing or other parts, would count as cuttings, but have been practiced, mostly by women, until recently.

On the other hand, the 2nd clause does not specify whether the tattoos are forbidden for mourning only, or for everything.  When we had Kohanim and a Temple, we could ask them for a clarification.  the Karaites and Rabbanites have their hachamim who answer such questions, but IMHO this is all speculation.

A tattoo, is possibly forbidden by the Torah, and  unless once is clear about it being permitted, one should avoid them.

There are several other reasons why they should be avoided. In the previous chapter of Lev , 18, it says:

3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes.


Tattoos are certainly non -Israelite practice, even if they are common amongst Israelis today.

Next, they are not good for one's health.   Finally, there is a great taboo amongst Jews, since the Holocaust about tattoos. This is an emotional point and not a scriptural one.

In slang parlance, a female tattoo is often referred to as a "tramp stamp".   That in itself should be an indicator of the desirability of getting a tattoo.