Question
What is the rule with tattoos in Judaism? I was reading some articles about how “Jewish Themed” tattoos are becoming a way of showing devotion to G-d. Does that really work?
Answer
Although Judaism has a great appreciation for art — and even more so for nature — tattoos are one form of expression the Torah prohibits (see Leviticus 19:28). Although only G-d can understand the deepest reasons behind any commandment, our tradition teaches that tattoos were employed by idol worshipers to identify and label themselves as belonging to their gods. The Creator of Heaven and Earth, in contrast, desires our actions and our thoughts, not labels on our skin.
Keep asking questions!
Shlomo Shulman