Question regarding tattoos and Judaism

breamfisher

Steven, Slenon, and others:

I understand that Judaism prohibits tattoos per Leviticus. However, what about medical tattooing? Would that be allowed as it has a useful purpose? I do understand that the various movements have their interpretations, so I don't expect the answer to be definitive for all followers of Judaism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tattoo

Juliet

Looking at the wiki, #2 is definitely acceptable. Just about anything is acceptable when it comes to saving a life. Not clear about the other two.

breamfisher

I would think #1 is acceptable then, too. I'm just curious. Christianity as a whole seems to take a rather detached approach: as long as it's not obscene, vulgar, sacrilegious, etc. it's generally okay. Looked down on by some, but okay.

Scott Butner

breamfisher wrote: »

I would think #1 is acceptable then, too. I'm just curious. Christianity as a whole seems to take a rather detached approach: as long as it's not obscene, vulgar, sacrilegious, etc. it's generally okay. Looked down on by some, but okay.

indeed, I'd guess that maybe 1/3 of the tattoo'ed people I have photographed have one or more tattoos that fall into the "devotional art" category, sometimes to the exclusion of any other ink.

Juliet

breamfisher wrote: »

I would think #1 is acceptable then, too.

I think the problem with #1 would be that the same information could be on dog tags, licenses and the like. #1 would be more likely to be OK than for #3.

breamfisher wrote: »

I'm just curious. Christianity as a whole seems to take a rather detached approach: as long as it's not obscene, vulgar, sacrilegious, etc. it's generally okay. Looked down on by some, but okay.

Heck, you all eat ham and cheese sandwiches with Miracle Whip on white bread. There's no understanding you people.

breamfisher

I hate miracle whip and mayonnaise.

Scott Butner

Steven wrote: »

Heck, you all eat ham and cheese sandwiches with Miracle Whip on white bread. There's no understanding you people.

who you callin' "you people?!?"

breamfisher

Evidently we all look the same to him...

Juliet

Scott Butner wrote: »

who you callin' "you people?!?"

The next line is "Huh?"

But that's less than 10 characters.

Scott Butner

yeah, that 10 char limit really cramps my style sometimes....

slenon

I'm OK with all three examples. I might even add a "DNR" instruction. However, I'm neither ultra-orthodox, nor do I portray one on TV.