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Tattoos & Body Piercing: Difference between revisions

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==Body Piercings==
==Body Piercings==
# There is no specific prohibition forbidding body piercings. However, if one's health would be affected, they may not be done. <REF>{{NoSource}}There are references in the Torah regarding piercings among both men & women with no specific objection; however, should one's health become compromised as a result, we are to stay away due to the obligation to care for our bodies. However, there is a Tannaic discussion regarding whether or not one may harm oneself. It comes out in the Gemara that one may not harm oneself but if one did so, they would be exempt from lashes(since there's no explicit prohibition). The prohibition against harming oneself is only when it's unnecessary; for health reasons, it's permitted.</REF>
# Body piercing per se is not forbidden. Nonetheless, since piercings involve inflicting a wound to oneself, it is only permitted if it is done for beauty.<ref>[http://www.yeshiva.org.il/ask/?id=44085 Rav Tuito on yeshiva.org.il] writes that it is permitted to have a piercing for beauty such as women have ear piercings. However, piercings which are done just as self-expression or culture such as a a belly ring, which isn't seen anyway, are forbidden.
# Body piercing per se is not forbidden. Nonetheless, since piercings involve inflicting a wound to oneself, it is only permitted if it is done for beauty.<ref>[http://www.yeshiva.org.il/ask/?id=44085 Rav Tuito on yeshiva.org.il] writes that it is permitted to have a piercing for beauty such as women have ear piercings. However, piercings which are done just as self-expression or culture such as a a belly ring, which isn't seen anyway, are forbidden.
* In fact, our matriarch Rebecca not only had her ears pierced, but wore a nose ring as well, which was the custom at that time. (see Genesis 24:22)
* In fact, Rivka Imenu not only had her ears pierced, but wore a nose ring as well, which was the custom at that time. (see Genesis 24:22)
* In Jewish law, the main determination is whether a particular body piercing is done for a constructive purpose. Excessive body piercing without a constructive purpose is considered making a wound, which the Torah forbids. (Deut. 4:9, 15; Code of Jewish Law – C.M. 420:31). See Rashi Devarim 14:1 who writes that Hashem wants Bnei Yisrael to look nice without bruises or cuts.
* In Jewish law, the main determination is whether a particular body piercing is done for a constructive purpose. Excessive body piercing without a constructive purpose is considered making a wound, which the Torah forbids. (Deut. 4:9, 15; Code of Jewish Law – C.M. 420:31). See Rashi Devarim 14:1 who writes that Hashem wants Bnei Yisrael to look nice without bruises or cuts.
* As for men, if we're talking about a society where men also pierce their ears or other parts of their body for beauty, it is permitted – see "Rashi" Exodus 32:2. LACKING A HALACHIC SOURCE. If, however, it is common for only women to pierce, but not for men, it is forbidden to don a woman's attire or jewelry, and therefore is not allowed. (Code of Jewish Law – Y.D. 182:1)</ref>
* As for men, if we're talking about a society where men also pierce their ears or other parts of their body for beauty, it is permitted – see "Rashi" Exodus 32:2. LACKING A HALACHIC SOURCE. If, however, it is common for only women to pierce, but not for men, it is forbidden to don a woman's attire or jewelry, and therefore is not allowed. (Code of Jewish Law – Y.D. 182:1)</ref>
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==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Between Man and Himself]]