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About two years ago, I had radiation treatments to treat my cancer.
As I was lying on the table during a pre-radiation procedure, they told me that they needed to give me tattoos to guide the laser machine when it delivers the radiation to the targets. I had no knowledge of this before we started the procedure. I didn’t have my phone with me, I wasn’t in any position to call a rav at the moment, and a decision needed to be made then and there while I was still lying in that position, so I told them to go ahead. I got several tattoos (just tiny blue dots).
I’m not interested in hearing if you think I did the right thing or the wrong thing in telling them to go ahead. That’s not the point of this post. If you think I was wrong, so noted.
I’m going to be doing radiation treatments again in the near future. I will not need new tattoos, so it’s not an issue. However, the techs told me that they can now do invisible tattoos. These are tattoos that use ink that only shows up under an ultraviolet lamp.
While it’s certainly preferable (to me, anyway) from an aesthetic view, I’m wondering if that would be more acceptable from a halachic point, or if it would still be forbidden.
The Wolf
(Yes, of course, I know not to base a final opinion solely on the words of posters in the Coffee Room. No need to mention it. I just want to hear what people think, both halachically and personally.)
And Refuah Sheleimah!
Pretty sure that this would be preferable Halachically.
The main thing is that you should have a רפואה שלימה quickly!
Thats my oppinion.
“Medical treatment is not only permitted but often mandated when necessary to preserve life or prevent serious deterioration, overriding most religious prohibitions including Shabbat restrictions. This principle, known as Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life), requires immediate action to provide refuah (healing) without delay, even if it involves violating shabbas”Your in a refuah situation so even tho it might not be life threatening emergency there’s still a lot more leniency involved.
I don’t think you did the wrong thing at all. You were in a situation where you had no choice and it happened. Not sure why you think this makes you a bad person? Lol. It’s just a mark. Sometimes in life we need to differentiate what realistically is something to worry about and what is not. Did you got to a tattooist and get a picture drawn because it’s fun. No you were there for a medical procedure I think that makes you exempt. Thats my personal opinion. I personally wouldn’t consider it wrong to get this tattoo….also I would think if it’s part of your refuah process I’m not sure anyone would have an issue. People even eat traif tablets if it’s for a healing therapy. It really depends I think but for refuah there’s much more leniency then you realize. Also just take a chill pill dont worry your not doing anything wrong and you didn’t do anything wrong _priorities_ take a look at the bigger picture in _context_ don’t sweat the small stuff
not every permanent mark is considered a tattoo
theese “tattoos” are not called tattoos halachically. thay are not letters.
rav zilbershtain goes even further and says that only tattooing the name of god is forbidden.
we will of course go according to the most lenient shitah when it comes to a persons life.
not to mention that pikuach nefesh (matters of life and death) nullifies all other mitzvot.
you may (and possibly must) do as many as medically necessary without hesitation.
may you have a refuah shelemah right now.
Wolf, refuah shleimah. See R Bleich 2009 article survey of recent halachic periodical literature, 2009. it is available online.
I can’t summarize all 40 pages of it, he goes into micropigmentation and other methods … but it seems that external invisibility as a significant factor, kal vehomer any invisibility.
Sometimes we must make sacrifices to get the refuah we need.
For patients in hospitals, it is very difficult to hold by
mitzvah observances, and sometimes it is impossible.It won’t be De’oraysa anyhow since you aren’t writing a name. And, having it done to you while you don’t actively assist, is another פטור. Mainly, and to your point, it does specifically say in Yora De’ah 180 that this Issur is with ink. I don’t think invisible ink is considered ink. It is merely an enabler to become visible later.
Also, it may be that anything for a medical purpose, not just פיקוח נפש as in your case, would be like putting ash on an open wound, which is allowed even though the mark is permanent since the intention is to heal and not to leave a mark. Although in this case, the mark itself is the point, but that’s only for the temporary benefit of the treatment and not as a permanent mark.
May it be the will of Hashem that you be quickly healed of any trace of cancer, and live a long, healthy, energetic and productive life.
haleivi> Also, it may be that anything for a medical purpose, not just פיקוח נפש as in your case,
yes, I just overheard someone asking a rov about this, and the answer was “everything medical is permitted”
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