Let's consider Leviticus 21:5 from this week's portion, Emor: "They [the male members of the priestly family] shall not shave smooth any part of their heads, or cut the side-growth of their beards, or make gashes in their flesh" (JPS Translation). This verse about priestly differentiation has been understood as part of a constellation of Biblical teachings about the impermissibility of ritual scarification and tattooing within Jewish tradition (cf. especially Lev. 19:28, "...You shall not gash yourselves for the sake of the dead, or incise any marks on your body.") How can we Reform Jews make sense of these teachings today?
As you view this little video, I would also recommend this provocative article from the New York Times of July 17, 2008.
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Blake
CORRECTION: Please note in the video that I intended to reference Leviticus Chapter 21, verse 5 and not verse 6 as stated. I apologize for the error.
