22 replies on “Jewish tattoo.”

  3. just wondering why you feel this way Waldo? Not saying that I agree, or disagree with you at this point. As I have my own thoughts and feelings about tattoos as well

  4. “Jewish tattoo” could be a punchline in any joke involving an oxymoron. Tattoos are taboo in Jewish culture — the Torah’s prohibition on them being the root of that — though the Holocaust really drove that point home.

    I have a hard time thinking of a more unlikely combination than a Jew and a tattoo. I have many Jewish friends, and many tattooed friends. There’s a whole lot of daylight in that particular Venn diagram.

  7. Ok Waldo, I see where you’re coming from now. I really don’t know that many Jews, but I don’t remember seeing tattoos on any of them, now that I really think hard on it. I also se where Runkefer had made a comment on this as well. I have read through Leviticus a few times, but in the versions I have read, I interpeted it as not making marks in your skin or tattoos in rememberance of the dead, which I have not done, but I do have 6 tattoos for other reasons, and I must say after working in the line of work I do for nearly 20 years, I have seen many!

  8. A Hebrew tattoo on the forearm is particularly ugly, because that is where the Nazis put concentration camp numbers.

    On the other hand, Boston Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler has a Jewish-themed “Never Again, 1939-1945) tattoo on his chest.

    Former Red Sox outfielder Adam Stern, who was only the second Canadian Jew to play in the big leagues, has a red Canadian tattoo on his chest.

    My wife’s ex boy friend had a small tattoo of a man running somewhere, but not on his forearm.

    When I was in Israel in 1985 I visited a market, and one of the salesman had a really ugly, homemade tattoo on his hands. The man could have been an Israeli Arab or a Palestinian, however.

    Also in 1985 I visited an absorption center for Ethiopian Jewish immigrants to Israel. I noticed that one of the women there had African style tattoos.

    I agree that a Hebrew tattoo on one’s forearm is disconcerting. The woman really ought to have found a better way to express Jewish identity. However, a tattoo on another part of one’s body, while ugly in my view and almost certainly a future cause for regret, is not such a big deal.

    For some reason young people get tattoos. The worst tattoo, except for the Jewish forearm one, is the little spot that women put on their ankles. It is always visible, cannot be covered up. I don’t get it.

  9. Unless one has been a Marine or in Special Forces, I find most tattoos ridiculous. In particular, I will NEVER understand why an otherwise incredibly attractive woman would butcher herself like that.

    Yeah, I know. Attack Young as a right-winger. I don’t particularly care.

  10. I’m with you, James — I find tattoos totally unattractive on women. There’s no trashier tattoo on a young woman than those 6″ wide, 2″ tall things at the base of the back.

    When I finish the Appalachian Trail, I expect I’ll get a tiny “AT” logo (the top of the T forms the crossbar of the “A”) somewhere on my body, probably something rather hidden. After a walk like that, I think I’d like to be branded for life as having completed it. :)

  11. Ah, another excuse to tell one of my favorite stories.

    I once knew a Jewish girl who was a goth. That was pretty kickass. I was eating pizza on the mall with her, Eric and two of his friends from Hebrew school. They were making jokes and stuff comparing it to Catholic school and at some point she mentioned she wasn’t Catholic, but Jewish too. Which led to the three of them not believing her and being border-line jerks… until she started talking back in hebrew and recited the Kaddish.

    The look on their faces was priceless.

  12. I’m Not Emeril,

    No I am not, I am originaly from Falmouth, VA, but have been around the Charlottesville area about 15 years now

  13. The worst tattoo, except for the Jewish forearm one, is the little spot that women put on their ankles. It is always visible, cannot be covered up. I don’t get it.

    In some cultures, showing an ankle is shocking – so perhaps an ankle tattoo is acceptable there? Just conjecturing…

    There’s no trashier tattoo on a young woman than those 6″ wide, 2″ tall things at the base of the back

    A friendly person I met briefly on vacation told me the street name for those base of the back scars, I mean tattoos, is “Tramp Stamp” – I couldn’t help grinning when I heard that.

    I have mixed feelings about the whole permanently scar the human body as decoration thing (applies to tattoos, cuts, and piercings of all kinds including earrings). On one hand I just don’t understand why anyone would want to do any form of elective surgery, however mild. All surgery involves risks – albeit very minor ones in ear piercings and tattoos – but why take the risk at all? Also, I kind of like humans as they are without adornment and without decoration.

    Having said that, my own wife has a tattoo on her ankle, and she shows that ankle as often as she can and I still love her very much. She also has earrings and wears high heels occasionally (another habit I simply don’t get). I guess everyone’s idea of what is attractive is different.

    I know a camp survivor who proudly shows his concentration-camp given arm tattoo because he wants people to talk about and remember the issue. He is using the scar as a springboard to preach about the right way to treat people around you – which is turning a very negative thing into a positive thing. I certainly don’t argue with him about that!

    Perhaps some people consider the statement their tattoo makes or it’s decorative value are more meaningful to them than their culture or religion? Just conjecture…

  14. For some Jewish people (including my Jewish friend who has “L’chaim” – which means “To Life” in Hebrew – tattooed on her ankle), getting a tattoo is a way of redefining the practice of Jewish people being forcibly tattooed in the Holocaust.

    Also simply saying “it’s in the old testament” is not that great of an argument. The old testament also says not to eat shellfish. Shrimp, anyone?

    Who knows if the woman in question was Jewish, what the tattoo said, meant, or symbolized. I’d say leave it up to her.

    – A non-tattoo’d Jew

  15. It occurred to me that the meaning of the Hebrew on the woman’s arm is very important to how I would react. If it translated as something like “Never again”, it would be very appropriate indeed. But if it was just some random phrase she liked (think of those Chinese ideogram tattoos that say “Spirit” or “Rainbow”), that would be a little odd.

  16. i’m just wondering if RUnkefer has ever cut his hair or shaved his face… im gonna go ahead and guess yes. if you have, u really can’t use Leviticus 19:28 as the backbone for any argument to not get a tattoo. that’s all im sayin.

  17. Why assume she’s Jewish? A few weeks ago I spotted a guy sporting a Hebrew tattoo on his arm. It was neither Hebrew nor Aramaic–it was a nonsensical jumble of letters. I asked him about it and he said it couldn’t be pronounced–it’s a Zohar formula. Guess the crack kabbalists are reaching out these days. Hag sameakh.

  18. I am considering designs for a tattoo that would incorporate the cross (defining Christian symbol) and a prominant Jewish symbol although not of much historical significance, the star of David. Why? I am a Christian and consider myself Jewish as well in the since that, not by blood but by my faith I have been grafted into a people chosen to be blessed by God.
    My loyalty to Israel and Jews in general may be difficult for a Jew who rejects the deity of Jesus Christ to understand…but no matter, I consider him my brother as well.
    I have no tattoo now, at age 35, because I have found nothing that I have liked and feel that I would not regret later in life. But my convictions by my faith will not change and only deepen so I believe these symbols would be appropriate.

  20. Response to Barry: As a Christian I also want to honor my faith. This summer I was reminded that Christ said (paraphrase) ‘In the manner you forgive others, you will be forgiven by God.’ I was reminded that I need to forgive others “70 x 7”. When I looked up the number 70 x 7, I found the symbol for the Hebrew word “Thammim”. It’s number value is 490 = 70 x 7. Its word meaning is “perfect”.

    Christ said “You must be perfect, as I am perfect.” I never understood that verse, until I found this word/symbol. I plan to have that symbol tattooed on my body as a personal reminder that I need to forgive and try to understand others.

    I don’t believe this would be derogatory toward the Hebrew faith, but it would be a reminder for me, and possibly others, to live out the faith I profess. Blessings to you, Christian

  21. One additional thought: Go get a “Good News for Modern Man” Bible. Read Isiah 44: 1-8 (especially verse 5). It says, “One by one, people will say, ‘I am the Lord’s.’ They will come to join the people of Israel. Each one will mark the name of the Lord on his arm and call himself one of God’s people.”

    Have a great day.

  22. I have never read from the “Good News for Modern Man” version of the Bible. As best I can tell, it is paraphrased with some liberty taken by the translator. Just a word of caution as no version but the original Greek and Hebrew texts can be considered completely accurate, but the New King James version is the closest English translation I have found but still find it helpful to go back to the original texts. That passage reads a little differently when not paraphrased but is also difficult to discern the meaning–it has to be taken in the context of the chapter.

    4 They will spring up among the grass
    Like willows by the watercourses.’
    5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’;
    Another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
    Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
    And name himself by the name of Israel.

    But it is there. And this does include you and me. I like it. And thank you.

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