Tattoos and Torah: What Parashat Kedoshim Really Says About Jewish Identity
Kedoshim, often referred to as the “Holiness Code,” is one of the most known and challenging sections of the Torah. It calls on us to live lives of holiness through practical actions in our everyday lives.
Within this portion, we find a wide range of laws. Some of them focus on how we treat each other: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” . Others guide us in creating a society rooted in justice: “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14). These commandments remind us that holiness isn’t just about our relationship with God; it’s about how we show up for one another.
And then, there’s a few verses that feels a bit harder to connect to today. One of which interpreted to mean that tattoos are forbidden, which may be something you have heard before. It says:
"You must not make cuts in your flesh for a person who died. You may not etch a tattoo on yourselves; I am God”
At first glance, this seems to be a straightforward prohibition against tattoos. It’s a verse that has sparked countless questions and debates, especially in Jewish spaces today. Many people—even those who aren’t deeply observant—believe that having a tattoo makes them a “bad Jew” or, worse, that it prevents them from being buried in a Jewish cemetery. If that’s true, well.. I guess I am a bad Jew and will not be buried in a Jewish cemetary…. But spoiler alert… I’m not, and I won’t.
This interpretation doesn’t tell the full story.
Let’s start with the historical context. In the ancient world, tattooing was often tied to two specific practices. One was mourning rituals, where people would cut or mark their bodies as a way of grieving the dead or as part of pagan worship. The other was branding, where slaves or worshippers of certain gods were tattooed to signify ownership or loyalty.
The Torah’s prohibition here wasn’t about tattoos as we know them today. It was about rejecting practices that dehumanized people or tied them to idolatry.
Now, let’s jump to the present. Today, tattoos are not tied to mourning rituals or branding. For many, tattoos are acts of personal expression, storytelling, or even a way of connecting with their Jewish identity. A person, such as myself, might get a tattoo of a Star of David, a meaningful Hebrew word, or a symbol of resilience. I remember the first time I saw a tattoo in Hebrew, I was giggling to myself at the irony, but I have since learned.
Does that sound like something that would make someone a “bad Jew”? Of course not!
And what about the belief that people with tattoos cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery? This idea has no basis in Jewish law. It’s a myth that has persisted, likely because tattoos were historically taboo in Jewish culture. But Jewish burial societies affirm over and over again that every Jew, regardless of their choices in life, deserves the honor of a proper burial.
The mitzvah of chesed shel emet—true, selfless kindness—is about caring for the deceased with dignity. And this mitzvah applies to everyone.
What can we learn from this? I think Kedoshim is asking us to look deeper at the meaning and intent behind our actions and our traditions. It’s not enough to follow the letter of the law; we must strive to understand its spirit.
Take the laws about loving your neighbor or avoiding stumbling blocks. These aren’t just about specific scenarios—they’re about building a world of empathy and compassion. Similarly, the verse about tattoos isn’t just about ink on skin; it’s about rejecting practices that harm or degrade us.
Today, tattoos don’t harm our connection to Judaism or our holiness. If anything, they can be a way of telling our stories and expressing our values.
Parshat Kedoshim reminds us that holiness isn’t static. It’s a journey. It’s about how we understand and apply the Torah’s teachings in ways that align with our reality and our values.
So, if you or someone you know has a tattoo, remember this: You are no less Jewish. You are no less worthy. And you are certainly not excluded from the holiness that this week’s portion calls us to strive for.
May we all walk this path of holiness together, with open hearts and open minds.