עברית
Halachot and Customs
Piercing According to Halacha
Question
Hello and blessings. Is it permissible to get a piercing not on the earlobe but on the face? My neighbor claims she was told this is halachically allowed and that it is not like a tattoo.
Answer
Hello and blessings,
Indeed, unlike tattoos, which are forbidden according to halacha, piercings for women—that is, perforation of a part of the body in order to wear jewelry—is not prohibited. Although it involves bodily injury, since it is done for adornment, there is no prohibition against beautifying oneself through mild bodily injury. According to the majority of poskim, even surgical procedures performed under anesthesia for plastic surgery are permitted.
At all times, ear piercings have been common, and at certain periods, nose piercings were also considered acceptable adornments. Nevertheless, it is clear that piercings in certain parts of the body can indicate the social group to which the person belongs. It is advisable to consider the identity statement inherent in obtaining a piercing. In many cases, people later regret such permanent marks chosen for the body, which cannot be easily reversed or removed.
Wishing you success, Menashe Yisrael
