Tattoos and Judaism

Everyone wanted tattoos in middle school and high school. I never did. I did want a lip ring, but not enough to consider it. Then I thought I wanted to be a psychologist and any visible piercings or tattoos were out the window. Out of sight, out of mind.
I don't remember when I started thinking about getting one. It just kind of grew in my mind and then it was May. Then my personal life went to hell and I forgot again.
About a week ago everything became crystal clear...well almost everything.
Until tonight I have been torn. I have been known to be more conservative than my mother when it comes to Judaism. I like some of the more traditional prayer melodies and more Hebrew included in the service, but I also believe the Torah is like a Fairytale book with a few useful moral themes woven throughout. I don't take it literally and I don't follow rules strictly. What I love most about being a Jew is being able to question everything, even God. I also love the fact that we don't go out and try to convert or "save" people.
As my mother says, Judaism is a culture as well as a religion.
It's about community.
It's about helping those in need.
It's about peace.
It's about appreciating what you have.
This is my Judaism.

But still, it's a widely held belief that Jews should not be "marked."

"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28)

Back in the day it was common for non Jews to cut, burn etc. themselves as part of the mourning process as well as inscribe their gods images into their skin. I'm sure I don't need to point out the whole only one God thing in Judaism.
So how I have decided to interpret this is that cutting or other hurtful self inflicted marks are bad whether out of mourning or any other reason. It's just not healthy. Then the second part means that markings that represent other deities isn't okay, and it just doesn't make sense if you're Jewish anyway.
So my tattoos are fine.
Tomorrow I'm getting Chai, which means life in Hebrew above my ankle. I think later in time I will have the star of David added around it, but without the circle surrounding it.
I'm all about life. I've been close to death more than once. Most recently while watching my grandmother decline and then seeing her take her last breaths. That's the hardest thing I've ever had to witness, but it makes me appreciate life even more.
I want it on my body, to remind me of how important it is to live every day the best I can, so I have no regrets when I'm taking my own last breaths. Judaism is a celebration of life and hebrew is incredibly beautiful, so what better form to put it in?
My second tattoo is going to be a starfish. Obviously I don't worship starfish. It started as a nickname, but it came to mean more to me. Starfish are known for their ability to regenerate their arms. To me that represents resilience. Resilience is a necessary skill to survive and have a full life. (Just ask my dad. He wrote a book on it.) There's no such thing as an easy life.
So these are the tattoos that I could never regret, and I believe they are not in conflict with my religion...and I really don't care if you think they are.

L'Chaim!
To Life!

Spaz

That's my name today.

Today during the course of about half an hour I managed to give the waitress my gift card and debit card, remember that Beale's only takes cash half way there, leave my debit card in the machine (a nice woman ran after me down exchange street with it), forget why I called Beans, forget that I had called Katya, realize a short joke and some other joke that Hallie made about me about a minute late, etc.

I don't know where my head is, but I took a nap, so hopefully it will be better now.

Funny story this evening: A man came to the door. Apparently he's running for office. When I first saw him I thought he was wearing a kippah. Half way through the conversation he gave me a card. It said Republican, so I immediately looked back at his head and realized he was wearing sun glasses not a kippah.

Also, I need to remember that this weekend is Easter. Apparently there are people who celebrate it. Silly Waynflete, I'm so used to non religious people. Although I suppose I am one.

I think that surprises people sometimes. They don't realize I have my Jewish beliefs and that I follow them. So when I say something about G-d or Jewish holidays or praying, they're like whaaat? You're one of those people?!

No, I'm not "one of those people." It's nice to believe in something bigger than myself and I like that Judaism isn't about converting people for their own good. I don't believe in hell and I know that the bible/torah is basically a book of myths. In my opinion, Moses didn't part the sea and most people know that Jews don't believe Jesus was more than human (which is not to say that he didn't exist). I also don't believe G-d has a sex. Anyway that's a pretty simplified/watered down version of my religious beliefs and opinions.

So it appears that I will be going to church with my family on Sunday. Not looking forward to that. It always makes me feel persecuted. Last time I went, about 2 years ago, I was so scared, I was on the verge of tears.

At least I have Chinese and a hockey game afterward to make up for it...