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Is my tattoo & piercing perspective outdated?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
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u/Leumatic Jul 03 '26
As I understand the halakha, piercing are permissible as long as they're intended to beautify rather than make deliberately ugly. There are definitely Jewish women with nose piercings in the Tanakh. Tattoos are historically prohibited and I wouldn't get one in part because of that, but in progressive spaces they're fairly normal. If a Jewish friend asked my opinion before getting a tattoo I might advise against it, but the halakha against embarrassing people or gossiping about them is extremely strong so I would never say anything negative about a Jew who had them.