Hi Jarhead
I have been following the trend with interest as I visit Israel quite frequently and was quite suprised at the increase of ‘open tattooing’ from the 90’s to present.
It has always existed but tended to be an underground thing and was very much considered the ‘western curse’.
That said as you know the Hasidim (all sects) will not tolerate the issue of tattooing or piercings (even ears) based on
Leviticus 19:28 : “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Many people take this to refer to piercings (“cuttings in your flesh”) and tattoos (“print any marks upon you”)
I think it started with the argument that if a Jew died (especially if killed whilst in the IDF) would they be given a Jewish burial? There was a couple of cases where this was challenged and a notable scholar and Rabbi Jeffrey Wolfson Goldwasser pointed out that a Jew can be buried with tattoos in an orthodox cemetary as long as they repent their sins before G-d.
Then there was the large influx of Saphardic and Russian Jews many of whom have tattoos all though many draw the line at having tattoos that could be considered iconic or in memory of the dead.
One of the main arguments was that it wa not the tattoo itself that was offensive to G-d but the ritual practice that was often associated with early scarification or tattooing. This was often alongside pagan or spirit worship.
With modern day tattooing techniques this often removes this base and many ‘modern Jews’ will argue it is not that long ago that women were allowed to get their ears pierced and still be considered modest. So tattooing is a step further along this line.
Many of the more reformed Rabbis have realised that in order for Israel to continue to exist in these times that many of the older traditions have to be reconsidered and more flexibility given to keep the younger Israelis from emigrating to the USA and the rest of the world.
I also think that many Jews who do have tattoos (including myself) wanted to show the world that even when others try to use a negative practice (tattooing numbers on ppl) it can be shown to be a thing of beauty and defiance.
Personally I love nothing better than sticking my Lion Of Judah in some Neo-Nazi’s face and laughing at their shit and tacky swastikas and saying ‘hey dickhead – this is a real tattoo and gues what a Jew is wearing it!’ 😀
All of that said tattooing is still in the very minor percentage of the israeli population. i reckon it will in 20-30 years become more accessible and open.
