Author Ruth Rotkowitz reflects on the evolving attitudes toward tattoos in Jewish culture, from biblical prohibitions to modern expressions of healing and identity.
My husband got his first tattoo at age 55 when we were in Israel last month volunteering for the third time since October 7. Getting it there was very important for him. Encorporated into his design - a weeping willow tree with eagle talons as part of the roots - is a Magen David in the trunk moving into the branches. It’s pretty badass.
One correction. The wonderful book quoted in the young man's tattoo is almost certainly "The Phantom Tollbooth" (not The Phantom and the Tollbooth) by Norton Juster with illustrations by Jules Feiffer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_Tollbooth
When the law changed here in California and people in hospice started taking the “end of life option “ ( that’s what we coyly refer to physician assisted suicide) I was unsure of it. I asked the local chabad and got this response:”Essentially, Judaism teaches that our lives nor our bodies are our own to do with as we please. Our entire life is governed by what we may wear, eat, speak or behave. Surely, life itself is not ours to determine if it should go on or not. “.
Tattoo or not to tattoo? What exactly is your relationship to your body?
My husband got his first tattoo at age 55 when we were in Israel last month volunteering for the third time since October 7. Getting it there was very important for him. Encorporated into his design - a weeping willow tree with eagle talons as part of the roots - is a Magen David in the trunk moving into the branches. It’s pretty badass.
One correction. The wonderful book quoted in the young man's tattoo is almost certainly "The Phantom Tollbooth" (not The Phantom and the Tollbooth) by Norton Juster with illustrations by Jules Feiffer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_Tollbooth
Thank you. That was corrected in the online version, but didn't catch it in time for the version that went out via email.
When the law changed here in California and people in hospice started taking the “end of life option “ ( that’s what we coyly refer to physician assisted suicide) I was unsure of it. I asked the local chabad and got this response:”Essentially, Judaism teaches that our lives nor our bodies are our own to do with as we please. Our entire life is governed by what we may wear, eat, speak or behave. Surely, life itself is not ours to determine if it should go on or not. “.
Tattoo or not to tattoo? What exactly is your relationship to your body?