Hebrew Tattoos
Over at Codex there is a post on Hebrew tattoos illustrating some grammatical mistakes, a possible tattoo with Rashi-script, and even one in paleo-Hebrew. Read the comments for some possible corrections to the post. See this responsum which was written for the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) for some sources on halakhah and tattoos. This responsum prohibits tattoos, with some exceptions such as those that children play with, yet a number of years ago I received a collection of short responsa by Wayne Allen and one of them discussed tattoos and he brought a number another sources, some of which may lead one to a more permissive conclusion than the previously mentionned responsum. Allen based himself in part on the possibility that maybe only “tattooing in accordance with foreign religious practice is prohibited along with tattooing as a sign of grief after a death.” Allen refers to the Beit Yosef on YD 180 and Shulhan Arukh YD 180:5. In a later responsum Allen dealt with laser-removal of tattoos and did not feel that this practice should influence the opinion which holds that all tattoos are prohibited and even felt that the health risks of dirty needles and Hepatitis C might be mitigating factors to prohibit tattoos even according to a previously held permissive ruling (see Shulhan Arukh YD 116:5). In his first responsum Allen mentions the interesting responsum of the Minhat Yitzhak vol. 3, no. 11 which discussed the question of putting on tefillin over a tattoo of a naked woman.
Update: I made a small change in wording in order to emphasize Rabbi Allen’s concern about the danger of dirty needles and Hepatitis C and how that might be an important factor in whether tattoos are permissible.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
can u plz mail me how to write my name? btw my name is gabriella
February 4th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I would like to tattoo my children’s names in Hebrew, could you show me the proper Hebrew text?
Aaron (Son)
Brielle (Daughter)
Hopefully, I then could find an attractive pattern and have the tattoo done.
Thank you.
February 14th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Aaron אהרון
Brielle – בריאל
try this site for a design: http://my-hebrew-tattoo.com
March 30th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Hello,
I’d like to get the proper translation for my Hebrew name as well as my grandmothers.
My mother says my name is Rose and in Hebrew is “Ruchala/Ruchyla”
I’m not sure if this is correct however.
My grandmother’s name was Fay and I think her Hebrew name was “Faigel”
Does this sound right and if so how are they shown in proper Hebrew text?
March 30th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
These are Yiddish names and I don’t know Yiddish too well. Sorry.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hey there , is this spelling the correct one for the name Jesus:
יֵשׁוּעַ(enlarge in notepad )
if so then it must be from right to left, am i correct
thnnx in advance
May 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Kevin,
Look at this wikipedia page. I am not sure if there is one correct answer.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:30 am
great post, thx for sharing it, i think hebrew tattoos is really cool