Tattooing for cosmetic purposes

 

I am an eyeliner gal. I cannot leave the house EVER without eyeliner. And if I do, just don’t look at me. I have heard that you can have permanent make up tattooed on, and that would eliminate the need to do your make up every day. Now I have seen the blush that they do and it just doesn’t look natural. But I would totally do the eyeliner, in a heartbeat.

 

However, the Torah prohibits tattooing. Once is not supposed to cause harm to the body as we are created B’Tzelem Elokim – in G-d’s image. However, there are cases where cosmetic surgery has been permitted in order for the person to have a better self image.

 

So, I posed a question on Twitter and FaceBook, and have had some interesting responses. Excerpts of which I post below, anonymity of responders is protected.

 

I wanted to know if you had any knowledge about the halachot of tattooing and if such a cosmetic procedure could be permitted and by which Rabbi.

 

#1 I believe any tattooing is forbidden. But once it’s there, it’s not forbidden to have it. Halakhah is weird like that.

 

#2 Yeah, but you won’t be allowed to be buried in a J cemetary if you have one I thought.

 

#3 There is absolutely no basis in halacha for not being buried in a Jewish cemetary if you have a tattoo. I have heard this from numerous rabbis and Jewish drs in drashas over the years.
Commenter #1  (once again) is correct. Halachically, it is forbidden to get a tattoo. However, once someone has one, there is nothing that says they MUST get rid of it – in fact, there is a question as to whether one CAN get rid of a tattoo b/c it can cause more damage…

 

#4 Must be a rumor started by mothers to scare their kids out of getting one. Thanks for the clarification guys

 

#5 i once worked with someone who was converting to Judaism and he was getting his tattoo removed. i wonder if his rabbi told him to do that or if it was his personal choice.

 

#6 I wish that was allowed! I never leave the house without eyeliner on… What kind of cosmetic tattoing would you have done, if it was halachically permissable?

 

ME –  just the eyeliner – the blush and lipstick look like paint in the work i have seen, but the eyeliner i would do in a heartbeat. i cannot leave the house either without it!

 

#8 it was prbly a personal choice. There are only 2 ways to get tattoos removed. 1 of them involves lasers, is supposedly mostly painless but isn’t guaranteed. The 2nd way involves them cutting out that part of your flesh — certainly not painless…but it will def get rid of it! Ouch!

Health Update

 

So after feeling like crud for a day or two I shlepped myself to the doctor today. After waiting 90 minutes, I saw the nurse, same nurse who doesn’t speak English – she asked me to do a strep test, and said “you can pay for it if you want” – meaning, “it will cost you”.

 

Did the strep test – came out negative. Paid $25 for the privilege.

 

Waited another 90 minutes to see the doctor. For the majority of the examination he kept saying prolonged virus, prolonged virus. Then he listened closely through the stethoscope – and pronounced bronchitis. He seemed surprised. Weird.

 

Anyway, he prescribed me Biaxin and plenty of rest. Kids at home, KoD not here. Rest. Sure.

Dear heart, light of my life,

 

I am so thrilled that you want to be independent and helpful. I love how much you help around the house. I do.

 

Asking me at 6 am if you can make scrambled eggs – well, what can I tell you? sleep deprived mommies sometimes make lapses in judgement.

 

I said yes. You must have thought aliens had come down and inhabited your mom. If your brother would have asked to use the frother I would probably have said yes at that time of day. Sigh. It’s called taking advantage of the weak and under-caffeinated.

 

Imagine my surprise, nay, my horror, when you slowly sauntered into my bedroom, and casually mentioned “Ma, the frying pan caught fire, what do I do?”

 

This mama has never moved so fast in her life. Yes you were truthful, a quality I have been trying to instill in you and your siblings since the year dot. The pan was indeed on fire. You burnt the butter. You figured to be quick you would melt the butter in the pan on the heat turned to HIGH! Of course we all know this is my fault for allowing you to entertain the possibility of independence.

 

You had the foresight to turn on the vent, but the smoke alarm still insisted on making its displeasure known. I showed you how to calmly take the burning pan and throw it in the sink and smother it with cold water. I did not raise my voice nor did I panic. In fact, for at least the second time this week I was eerily calm. You kids are scared of that calm, aren’t you? You know it is the “I am so pissed I want to boil your head kind of calm”.

 

Do you realize what a lucky little boy you are, that after all that drama, you still wanted scrambled eggs, and your pissed alien mother actually made them for you? What am I, nuts??? No, just sleep deprived and a soft touch. In fact if you lift up the back of my hair there is a tattoo there that says that phrase “soft touch”. (On my butt it says “made in china” but that’s a story for another time.)

 

Oh the joy you bring to my life. I know you learned a lesson here. I know you learned the way to make eggs and I know you will ask again tomorrow to do it, and will I have learned MY lesson?

 

So tell me, my child, what will tomorrow bring? Who amongst you and your sibs will break my hairdryer / block up the toilet / break a window / put fart powder in my coffee…….. Do I dare ever sleep again?

 

Talk to your brother. Compare notes with him and maybe one of you will have learned something….although I dread to think what……

 

Dear heart, dear sweet soul, your dimples get me every time. The compliments roll off your tongue with the ease of a true romantic. As I told your brother earlier – it won’t wash with me today. Not unless it comes with flowers, wine AND chocolate.

 

Signed

Your loving but harried and stressed maternal parental unit.

Wednesday’s Wacky Signs