Someone just forwarded this to me from a Chabad (ultra-Orthodox) site:
Why Does Judaism Forbid Tattoos?
VERY different reasoning from the Reform movement, no?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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THE ADVENTURES OF JONATHAN THE COMPUTER GEEK, MICHAL THE RABBINICAL STUDENT, XANDER THE MUSICAL CHEF WHO NEEDS TO "DO IT MYSELF!", AND ARI THE MASTER OF DROOL.
7 comments:
Michal, you should know that I just about fainted when I saw Chabad.org on your blog ;)
So what do you think about the article?
LOL I'll bet you did!
I completely disagree with the article, of course (what a shock).
The first point, that changing our bodies insults God - I don't think God cares what we look like, as long as we act right. And I like that the Reform responsa addresses medical tattooing and surgery, unlike the Chabad article.
The second point, that we're revisiting pagan customs - it's 2008 CE, not BCE, and times have changed. Hanukkah as the festival of lights is based off a pagan solstice holiday, and no one complains about that one.
The third point, that it weakens circumcision - I don't necessarily believe in the sanctity of brit milah either. I think it's a tradition and a mark of tribal identity, but not necessary a covenant with God. I like the brit shalom ceremony for both boys and girls. But using the article's logic, I still don't understand why it would cheapen the brit: the covenant still outweighs everything, ink should make no difference.
Bet you're sorry you asked! :)
Just for clarification - I want to add that I firmly believe in the sanctity of the purpose of the ceremony. I think a Jewish boy (and girl) should be wholly welcomed into the community. It's the physical act of circumcision itself that I have issues with.
an e-mail reply is on the way!
Shavua tov by the way!
Sorry I've been so out of wack lately. Family reunion in hicktown kept me really busy. How've you been?
I thought the article was interesting - but opened up more questions. One is the definition of mutilation. Obviously, some people see tattoos as adornment, not mutilation.
Second, they start from the premise that our bodies are perfect - unfortunately it ain't always so. Parts break down.
To give the article credit - they did include exceptions for medical reasons.
re: circumcision
I know I was having 2nd thoughts about it when Caleb was born (not to mention 3rd and 4th thoughts) I think the part he (my son) was most upset about was having his diaper off and being cold.
Do you have a support system set up to hold your hand during the bris?
Sheryl - though I am defenitely not speakng for Chabad.org, I AM chabad and I could probably give you the more traditional view on the questions raised if you're interested.
in response to the definition of mutilation - I am almost sure that I have a source somewhere in the talmud to back me up on this one (though I really don't remember. I learned it a LONG time ago), I think the definition is any unnecessary cut (excluding accidents. No one can help that) or overall reshaping of the body (including cosmetic surgery).
secondly, and I this one I'm a lot more sure on, in regards to the "humans are perfect" question. It is a fundemental belief in Orthodox circles that however G-d made us - even flawed - we are still exactly as G-d (who is perfect) wished us to be... making us perfect as we are. Which, in its own way, would explain the tattoo being disrespectful... thinking that WE are more sure about how we should look than G-d was.
Sorry for the lenghty-ish reply. But as resident chabad reader of the blog, I guessed I felt like I needed to back up "my peeps" lol.
Keep it lifted!
-C
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