Why Are Tattoos Forbidden?

 

In recent decades, we have witnessed more and more Israelis, especially young men and women, deciding to tattoo drawings, symbols, or letters on their bodies. Let's set aside for a moment the question of how wise it is to permanently mark your body with something that suits you specifically in the current period, and talk about the explicit Jewish prohibition in the Torah - "You shall not make any tattoo marks on yourselves" (Leviticus 19). What is the rationale behind this prohibition? After all, it's our body, and seemingly it's our right to do with it as we please. And if we've already done it, how critical is it to remove the tattoos? And is it true that deceased individuals with tattoos are not buried, and that the tattooed flesh is cut off from them?

 

 

"First of all, the assertion that your body is yours is fundamentally incorrect," explains Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger. "A person is forbidden to harm themselves, because the body is not yours. It's like a rented vehicle, a deposit that must be returned in proper condition. That's why there's even a question in Jewish law whether a person can undergo plastic surgery merely for aesthetic purposes. There's no problem with surgery as an effort before entering the matchmaking process, but beautifying oneself just for its own sake is something different. Regarding tattoos, the Rambam wrote that it's following the ways of gentiles. The Jewish people need to be distinct from them in certain aspects, including this. The whole idea of culture and body development is not Jewish, and we distance ourselves from this concept. The body should appear dignified, without scribbles on it."

 

Does this prohibition have additional roots or explanations in mystical teachings?
"It is explained that when a person tattoos their body, it grounds their body and causes a very physical and animalistic attachment to this world. In other words, tattooing and grounding are based on the same concept. It disrupts our pure and clear connection with Hashem, especially if it's a drawing or symbol that is contrary to holiness."

 

And is it true that people with tattoos are not buried?
"Heaven forbid. Of course they are buried as they are. I have no idea where this was invented." Rabbi Yitzchak Gabay adds further reasons. "The Or HaChaim explains that the Torah states 'You shall not put any tattoo marks on yourselves.' The question arises why it doesn't say 'on your flesh' instead of 'on yourselves,' since the previous verse states 'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead.' The answer is that a tattoo creates an actual change in you, in yourself, in your inner being." Rabbi Gabay also cites the Sforno, who explains that the Jewish people are forbidden from making anything permanent on their bodies except for circumcision, as this would be like betraying the permanence of the covenant of circumcision. "The Sefer HaChinuch provides another reason," he adds, "since this was a custom of idolaters, who wrote the name of their deity, we were commanded to refrain from this practice."

 

What about a tattoo that was already done in the past, and now regret comes?
"This is a question that exists in contemporary responsa literature. The answer is that it's evident from the sources that there is no obligation to remove it, because it says 'You shall not put any tattoo marks on yourselves.' That is, the prohibition is on the act itself. But after it's been done - there's no necessity to remove the tattoo, because you're not transgressing the prohibition at every moment. In other words, the meter isn't running. However, all the authorities unanimously write that it is proper to remove the tattoo, because it is a 'reminder of sin' as they define it."

 

If it's forbidden to get a tattoo because of self-harm, how can one remove it? Here too, the person is seemingly harming themselves, causing themselves pain.
"The authorities have written that it's only forbidden to harm yourself if there's pain. But if there's no pain - some say there's no prohibition against harming yourself. Some have written that the prohibition against harming and causing pain is permitted for the sake of repentance. And in any case, it can be done under anesthesia. But this is clearly not the only reason, because if the reason was just the prohibition against self-harm, it would also be possible to get a tattoo under anesthesia. The reasons for prohibiting tattoos are varied, and the very fact that it's written in the Torah - already rules out the matter entirely, whether there are reasons we understand, such as those I mentioned, or not."

 

What about someone who works in a tattoo parlor and tattoos others - is this person also violating a prohibition, or perhaps only the person being tattooed is violating?
"The prohibition itself applies even if someone does it to another person's flesh. In this case, they're actually violating two prohibitions: both the prohibition against tattoo marks and 'Do not place a stumbling block before the blind.' This is more severe than if they tattoo themselves."