Thoughts on tattoos?
Hey folks,
I’m a trans woman, I grew up modern orthodox but have been hovering between more liberal denominations for the past decade or so. I still live pretty halakhically, and lean towards leniency whenever I can base it in the learning I have and gain.
For the past year I’ve begun to think seriously for the first time in my life about getting a tattoo—specifically a Bet where I used to put tefilin. If anyone is interested I’m happy to explain the idea behind it. The main thing I’m struggling with is reconciling this desire with halakhah. I know the history of the commandment, the original meaning of the verse, the dispute in the Talmud, and ultimately the greater history of the pesikah that it’s forbidden. I’ve been feeling, though, that like my transition it could be a way of changing my body that could introduce more holiness into it.
Has anyone else had similar thoughts? Do folks with tattoos here feel like it connects to your transness and/or Jewishness?