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Jews Choose Tattoos

NEWS ITEM: More Jews are wearing tattoos, according to observers of that scene, including artists who specialize in the area and rabbis who have notices an upsurge of branding in their congregations.


A fad’s erupted ’mongst the Jews:
An impetus toward tattoos.
There’s growing preference, it seems,
For body-art with Jewish themes.

Some rabbis, angered, make a fuss.
They point out that Leviticus
Quite pointedly forbids such art
Adorning any body part.

Proponents argue, nonetheless,
That tattoos hype their Jewishness.
Depicted to a high degree
Are scenes from Jewish history.
Few nudes, or their equivalent
Appear on the integument.

A beauteous vessel is the bod,
A gift that comes direct from God
And should not be despoiled by ink —
That’s what the pious people think.

Is tattooing a forward leap?
Or is it something just skin-deep?

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