How Tattoos Are Really Viewed in Judaism

Rabbi Raleigh Resnick tackles the common questions and myths in Judaism about tattoos.

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[samuelbenitez]

I'm a jew that didn't know he was a jew until four years ago, because i grew up as hispanic, our centuries were forced to convert to cristianity, losing our identity as jews but thanks the science of dna i found i was a jew and very proud of it but i gave tattoes .i wish i didn't

[davidfryer]

Why am I crying...I should be happy for them both. Thank you. No tattoo for me or anyone in my family. None of us thought it the proper thing to do. We would never judge others by the standard by which we live our lives. The fact is that I can't imagine having to look at the same tattoo for the rest of my life. I would most likely regret getting one the day after.

[joeltb]

Lack of education.. bingo! Im just starting to learn about my Jewish ancestry and this was one of my questions. Thank you!

[chashmal]

He's right. I got tattoos before tshuvah (I was raised 100% secular) and when I see them, I am humbled. Its like being nothing before Him, but in an opposite way. Like, the same reason Aleph is not used to start the Torah and Bet took its place. Knowledge of evil. It's as if to say, you were so far from Him, yet here you are now, *choosing* to put Him before you instead. It's encouraging to hear nice about it.

[rapturebound]

Very good explanation with an equally good thought that if a person has a tattoo it can serve to remind them of where they've been.
Ecclesiastes 12:1;
"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

[sbug]

I am a Jewish woman. I have tattoos.
I got them when I did not understand the significance of their prohibition.
I also did not have the close relationship with Hashem that I have now.
So like the Rabbi said, my tattoos document the journey of where I was, and where I am now.

[stevefaure]

A wonderful explanation and a memorable, touching story.

[tudormiller]

I've recently had a Star Of David tattoo design done. Interesting video. Watching from London UK 🇬🇧 Shalom ✡️

[yahsworld]

I'm someone who was raised Christian and has been Christian for years. I've found ways over the years of trying to explain why that commandment no longer matters, and all the while I never got one. When my eyes were opened to the ongoing validity and authority of the Torah earlier this year, I have fully decided to never get a tattoo in honor of the Father's will for my body.

[thecatlady]

Thank you so much for this video! I've worried about this since I returned to Orthodoxy almost 18 years ago. During the time of my life when I was not practicing Judaism, I got a tattoo and I have regretted it for many years. I don't have the money to have it removed and now I know that I don't need to.
I will, of course, have to check with my Rabbi, certain family members and the cemetery where our family cemetery is located just to be sure that my Rabbi doesn't have a problem with it and that the by-laws with the family or the cemetery don't have that clause.
Again, thank you so much for this ❤!
And, of course, if G-d willing I have the money one day, I will, for sure, have it removed. I don't like looking at it.

[anjahorn]

Wow..i hope i will never forget the Story of the long way.

[syedabdulwahidsohaily]

Yes Rabbi Resnick, you are 💯%right, thanks for the video Sir 🙏🏻👍🏻 God Bless All of Us Amen. Sohail Karachi.

[madmanmark]

Despite the knowledge of this I did get one in my early 20's back in the early 1990's. I have a fascination of wolves my favorite animal, I wonder if reincarnation does exist I wonder if I was a native American centuries ago. Till this day I still have it, though in 2015 I went to where my relatives are buried and asked about my situation and they said it's OK. May Hashem forgive me when I die if it was not acceptable.

[sriddle]

But as we know some unfortunately were tattooed against their will.

[rafaelhakimian]

I've had an observant Jewish upbringing my whole life so far, I was planning 2 c if this video mentions if the Torah really prohibits permanent tattoos. Also, permanent tattoos can b removed eventually, so these "marks of shame" can eventually b less of an issue

[gerardgeorgelin]

I was told that in Egypt, the slaves were tattooed, hence the prohibition on tattoos for Jews.

[Elior]

What happen if I have a sign of other religion but now I am liking the Jewish religion?

[menelikroadbikeskingofking]

Jewish people are least likely to have a tattoo....finding a girl without a tattoo outside of Jewish faith is becoming difficult.