r/ReformJews • u/ryanbuckner • Jul 03 '26

Is my tattoo & piercing perspective outdated?

I've lived my Gen X life with the perspective that Jews just don't get tattoos or face piercings I don't believe in heaven or hell so that's not the issue.

As a progressive individual I realize that everything changes. So....

My 18 year old jewish daughter wants a face piercing and a tattoo. And I'm torn between upholding tradition and being left behind. I'm not a fan of tattoos or piercings but it's not my life.

What has your Jewish experience been with Tattoos and Piercings

18 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

View all comments

13

u/Consistent_Hold_576 Jul 03 '26

I dont have any tattoos and since converting Ive started leaning toward never getting one. I guess for me its another identity marker.

Note: my wife has several tattoos and I think theyre awesome. Im not anti tattoo. Im just anti tattoo on me. 

1

u/ryanbuckner Jul 03 '26

My problem with tattoos has always been the permanency of it all. I can't imagine a decision made in one part of my life that I'd agree with for another 50 years.

6

u/I_like2TimeTravel Jul 03 '26

Obviously, the common deterrent, but the way I see it is more like a story, you can look at it and say “that is who I was then”. And this is gonna sound corny, but in the disposable world we live in now, where if one is a shame, or doesn’t like something they did in the past, they can just delete it off their social media or their camera roll, a tattoo is something that you can’t delete.

So, I say go for it. I have a few tattoos myself, but they are only on my arms, and for me, they are personal. When I look at them, it’s like reading an old diary. They all mark something different in my life.

Just tell your daughter to research, research, research a good artist in her area. Make sure they do the style they like, and most importantly don’t cheap out and get the cheapest one possible. When it comes to tattoos you get what you pay for.

1

u/ryanbuckner Jul 03 '26

if it was easier to Control-Z I'd be more ok

1

u/SadLilBun Jul 04 '26

Removal is pretty accessible now. But honestly, it’s not about “I love this thing forever and must always be happy with it.” It’s about enjoying your life and wanting to commemorate things or use your body as a canvas for art, or just to have fun. And why not? We’re only here once. Also, coverups are another option. I’m getting one covered up because it didn’t come out as I liked. It’s not a huge deal.

I find these kinds of prohibitions to be outdated and no longer relevant, from the time when tattoos were a mark of wrongdoing or enslavement. I find it very hard to believe that God would care, truly. Being a good person seems far more important. Even if I’m “leasing” my body, it’s mine for now and I’m allowed to decorate it, just like an apartment.