Comments | jbcs: Questions...Questions..and an Experiance

malkah_dhainu in jbcs

Questions...Questions..and an Experiance

Jan 31, 2007 10:50

I started my classes in Hebrew on Monday night! I never thought it would come so easily to me. Although as I was practicing on Tuesday before it was time for my to catch the bus to my College, I looked at the bus scehduel and went up there to get it. However, I didn't realize that I read the bus scheduel from right to left and missed it entirely ( Read more... )

questions

Comments 15

Hebrew Ink mustbecrazy January 31 2007, 16:14:06 UTC

Tattoos have become a personal issue. Search Moment magazine for a great article on Jewish ink. I think it's from the spring or summer. It will change the way you think about the issue, for sure. I think you have to weigh a number of issues, including what the tattoos mean to you now, what they meant to you then, and how they affect your identity in general. What do they picture?

Good for you for taking Hebrew. I really, really wish I had taken it in classes when I had the chance. Ignorance is not bliss, it's just annoying.

Re: Hebrew Ink lthrdyke January 31 2007, 17:14:55 UTC

Would you happen to have a link to the article? I tried searching their archive & I'm getting nothing but error messages & broken links. Thanks!!!!!

Re: Hebrew Ink mustbecrazy January 31 2007, 18:16:22 UTC

Google: "Moment magazine tattoos," it's the first hit.

But here's the link: "Marked for Life" by Shaun Raviv (June 2006).

Interested to hear what you think.

wub January 31 2007, 16:33:05 UTC

Strictly speaking, you should ask your Rabbi for the answer.

Generally, I believe that most Rabbis will tell you that since you got them before you were Jewish, it's okay...but since tattooing is problematic you should not get any more. Even getting them removed may be problematic since you're further modifying your skin. As mustbecrazy says, there is varying opinion on tattooing...

I think mustbecrazy makes a good point about how you feel about them and what they depict and such too though. I have no idea how this would happen but say you had a cross or a swastika tattoo--you may feel much more strongly about not having that anymore than say, a butterfly.

As you get more comfortable with the Rabbi you're studying with, ask them. :)

Jews and Tattoos mustbecrazy January 31 2007, 18:17:24 UTC

Obviously, you are a smart person. :)

summerrose January 31 2007, 16:36:43 UTC

Traditionally speaking, I think you're supposed to just leave them and not get any more. If there's a really visible one that makes you feel self-conscious, a rabbi might okay your getting it removed if you really wanted to, but I think in general the process of removing a tattoo is prohibited as also defacing the body. What does this mean? Ask your rabbi! (Actually, that's frequently a good answer to "Do I have to..." questions.)

I don't know whether this is useful to you, but I have some piercings that are traditionally forbidden, a navel piercing and a cartilage piercing in each ear, and no one's said anything about them. If I still had my nose piercing, I'd probably consider letting it close up.

sierra February 2 2007, 07:01:45 UTC

I didn't know a cartilage piercing in the ear was forbidden. :( I have that and double pierced ears. I've had the cartilage piercing for about 6 years, and only started my (Conservative) conversion process recently.

blehpunk January 31 2007, 16:50:16 UTC

which branch are you converting? cos that might make a difference. i have a tattoo and my bf is covered in them and the rabbi didnt seem to care at all. although he almost always covers up with long sleeves in synagogue and in public in general (he's a high school teacher) just to avoid the stares. some of the old folks at synagogue are weird about that stuff, but i think its less do to the 'jewish thing' than the whole idea of them in general. the whole 'having a tattoo denies you from being buried jewish' is a myth, and i seriously doubt its that big of a deal, certainly not enough to having removed. i was told by a rabbi that you should avoid 'evil' looking things, skulls and things like that, or demons, and avoid them on important places on your body (on the spine, over your heart, etc.)

as another tattooed jew... lightningspark January 31 2007, 17:08:42 UTC

... ask your rabbi.

some people have already commented that you should be allowed to keep them. i'm studying orthodox, and the comments have been that 1- they're already there, 2- removing them would cause intense pain and scarring, and 3, which is most important-- you didn't KNOW getting a tattoo was something you shouldn't be doing when you got them. the intent to violate that law was not there.

i've been told to look at my tattoos as birthmarks. that when i come out of the mikvah, since they were there when i got into it, they're just a part of me.

again, ask your rabbi. but a cute side-note...

a friend of mine, who comes from a very religious family, told me something her father had happen. he was at the men's mikvah, before yom tov, and he saw a chassidic guy changing. the guy had a hell's angels tattoo COVERING his back. ;)

not everyone was born religious. allowances are made for that. just, as someone above said, don't get inked agian.