Can you convert to judaisim if...........?

Question

you have tatoos?

Answer 1

i know jews with tattoos and if you have problems try reform judaism they adapt to current times very well but i was an conservative jew and i knew people with tattoos in my synagog

Answer 2

Though this sounds like a stupid question, is it actually a good one.   Somewhere in Leviticus, it says "Thou shalt not have a tattoo."

Answer 3

Cat's Meow is correct.  Also, I saw answers on here to a tatoo question & cemetery burial, that it's a myth that's false.  I don't have the link to the question handy (it's in my "answers list" somewhere).  But maybe some searching on YA?

You can't be responsible for pre-converting not following of the Torah commandments.  For instance, what do we do about all that bacon that I'm sure you ate too?  Too silly to think about.

Answer 4

You can convert to Reform and Conservative with no problems, but Orthodox frown upon Tattoos since it is a violation of our beliefs.

I believe that they may ask to have the tattoo removed, but you'd have to ask a Rabbi about that.

:)

Answer 5

As far as I can remember, they are frowned upon for Jews, but you are not prohibited from converting if you already have one.

I've stared this question, so hopefully, some of my Jewish contacts will be able to answer you.

Answer 6

That's actually a good question! I looked up the answer for you, see this link:

http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askra...

Answer 7

You can, but after you convert they are highly, highly discouraged if you're Orthodox.  (For other movements, you should check with your rabbi about how your synagogue's members view them.)

Answer 8

And now the accurate answer:

Yes, as the tattoos were done *before* the conversion.

That said, you would be well advised NOT to get any more done, as in the Tanakh it does indeed state that Jews should not permanently mark their bodies in this way.

And it's nothing to do with which movement in Judaism you are involved with. No Jewish movement will judge you on things you did/ate/thought BEFORE you converted. Before you convert, the Jewish laws don't apply to you.

http://www.ajewwithaview.com