Leviticus 19:28
"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the LORD."
This pasuk speaks to me in a very interesting way. In a lot of instances, I have heard people reference this specific line as a reason to not get tattoos or piercings. When I first heard this I thought it was very interesting because ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by body art and specifically, tattoos. After learning more about our Jewish values and how we live according to the Torah, I found out that this wasn't necessarily the only interpretation. In my opinion, tattoos are a way of representing your inner thoughts, beliefs, and most importantly, a way to express yourself. As I thought about it more and more, I realized that my own interpretation of this pasuk didn't line up with this popular opinion. I think it is more focused on taking care of yourself mentally, and physically. Like some other people have said before, this line can be used as awareness for mental health, and self-harm. A lot of people say that the holocaust mixed with this specific verse inspired the idea that we shouldn't get tattoos. Of course, I understand this interpretation but as I said before, tattoos can be used to express anything. The tattoos Jews received in concentration camps were solely based on inhumanity, discrimination, and senseless hatred (sinat hinam).
This image spoke to me a lot. The caption of the photo was: "Passing on Holocaust Tattoos." Personally, I think that this is absolutely absurd. Of course, all jews choose to remember the Holocaust in different ways, but one of these people did not live through the hatred brought on by the Nazis. However, I do understand the meaning of this decision.
As I stated before, this verse has been used to speak against tattoos for generations, ever since the Holocaust. People talk a lot about their different opinions on tattoos. Whether you're against tattoos or not, you can't deny that tattoos don't mean something to the person possessing them. They might seem kind of short-sided and foolish to some, but everyone has some kind of reasoning for getting something permanently stabbed into their skin. Obviously, some people choose not to get tattoos because of the Holocaust and because of our ancestors' struggle. Others don't see it as an issue to get tattoos even though they acknowledge our ancestors having to endure the harsh treatment from the Nazis.
Overall, this pasuk is very meaningful and has different interpretations that I find really fascinating as well as the different beliefs about this verse.
This image spoke to me a lot. The caption of the photo was: "Passing on Holocaust Tattoos." Personally, I think that this is absolutely absurd. Of course, all jews choose to remember the Holocaust in different ways, but one of these people did not live through the hatred brought on by the Nazis. However, I do understand the meaning of this decision.
As I stated before, this verse has been used to speak against tattoos for generations, ever since the Holocaust. People talk a lot about their different opinions on tattoos. Whether you're against tattoos or not, you can't deny that tattoos don't mean something to the person possessing them. They might seem kind of short-sided and foolish to some, but everyone has some kind of reasoning for getting something permanently stabbed into their skin. Obviously, some people choose not to get tattoos because of the Holocaust and because of our ancestors' struggle. Others don't see it as an issue to get tattoos even though they acknowledge our ancestors having to endure the harsh treatment from the Nazis.
Overall, this pasuk is very meaningful and has different interpretations that I find really fascinating as well as the different beliefs about this verse.
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