Tattooing in Jewish Law
By Rabbi Alan Lucas
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The prohibition of tattooing is found in the Torah: "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28).
However distasteful we may find the practice there is no basis for restricting burial to Jews who violate this prohibition or even limiting their participation in synagogue ritual. The fact that someone may have violated the laws of kashrut at some point in his or her life or violated the laws of Shabbat would not merit such sanctions; the prohibition against tattooing is certainly no worse. It is only because of the permanent nature of the tattoo that the transgression is still visible.
The prohibition of tattooing throughout the halakhic literature
deals only with personal, voluntary tattooing. With respect to the
reprehensible practice of the Nazis who marked the arms of Jews with tattooed
numbers and letters during the Shoah [Holocaust], the Shulhan Arukh [the authoritative
16th-century code of Jewish law] makes it clear that those who bear these
tattoos are blameless: "If it [the tattoo] was done in the flesh of
another, the one to whom it was done is blameless" (Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 180:2).
Read more at: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Our_Bodies/Adorning_the_Body/Tattoos.shtml
Betzelem Elohim – What’s the deal with tattoos for the Jews?
Like many fun prohibitions, this one starts with Leviticus: “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28). This would seem to show that making markings on oneself, such as cuts, are forbidden. Why then, would this be the case? Rabbi Allan Lucas, a contemporary Conservative rabbi, discusses this in his article on the subject of Tattoos and Judaism.
According to one interpretation, it is the permanent nature of the act that is problematic: “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). But Rabbi Simeon ben Judah disagrees, saying that it is only prohibited to inscribe the name of God.Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry 12:11) says Jews must not tattoo themselves because pagans did, so this could be perceived as an idolatrous act.
Here we see a descendent of a Holocaust survivor who wishes to tattoo the number of his father on his arm as a form of reconciliation. Despite disagreements about intentionally tattooing a relative's number, here again we see the reassurance that Holocaust survivors can keep their tattoos and abide by Jewish law.
Question:
My father had a tattoo from the concentration camps. I saw in a book (Halachic Questions of
the Holocaust) that Holocaust survivors asked the Kovono Rabbi if
they should have their tattoos removed. The rabbi answered certainly not, and
that they should be worn as a badge of pride. My question is: Would I be allowed, under these circumstances, to tattoo my left arm with the number of my father, who recently passed away. I know tattoos are contrary to the Torah, but this kind of tattoo could be a reminder to the world to not forget the Holocaust.
Answer:
I've never considered such a question and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. It is tragic that we even have to think about such a topic.
I would urge you not to have the number tattooed on your body, and I believe that most of those who endured the camps and the tattoos would also wish that their descendents not be tattooed, and davka with a number from the camps.
There are other ways perhaps to insure that the members of your family never forget his number, just as they will never forget him.
Consider sculpture, paintings, commissioning a print for each member of the family, a special mezuzah built from those numbers, etc.
Even though your intention is good, this tattooing would still be contrary to Torah tradition. Thanks again for writing and may the new year bring you and your loved ones only peace and blessing in a world at peace.
Best
Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
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