Modern Conservative Judaism by Elliot N. Dorff

Author:Elliot N. Dorff [Dorff, Elliot N. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL040050 Religion / Judaism / Conservative
ISBN: 9780827613874
Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society
Published: 2018-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

Responsum on Tattooing and Body Piercing

Sometimes Conservative responsa address contemporary rituals. As one example, given the high percentage of young Jews getting “inked” or piercing their bodies to accommodate jewelry, the CJLS adopted a responsum on tattooing and body piercing.

In his responsum, Rabbi Alan Lucas asked these questions: “Is either body piercing (nose, navel, etc.) or tattooing permitted? Does doing either one preclude taking part in synagogue rituals or being buried in a Jewish cemetery?” In response, he explains that from the vantage point of Jewish law, tattooing is not allowed, but body piercing is permitted when done safely and modestly. (For a defense of tattooing and a rabbi’s reactions to her daughter’s tattoo, see this chapter’s suggestions for further reading.)

The CJLS adopted his paper (excerpted here), on March 11, 1997, by a vote of seventeen in favor and four abstaining (17–0–4). To read the full responsum, see http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/halakhah/teshuvot/19912000/lucas_tattooing.pdf.

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