To my family, friends and readers…

For 2022, I wish you

A happy and healthy New Year

Bonne Annee

Feliz año nuevo

Buon anno

Yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

שנה טובה ומתוקה

Rabbi Rifat  Sonsino, Ph.d 

MODERN JUDAISM By Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D ; An Introduction to the Beliefs and Practices of Judaism

 

ON CURSES

 

Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D 

          A curse is usually defined as an expression of a wish that misfortune befall another person or group. Therefore, strictly speaking, using a cuss word is not really a curse.

          Here is a biblical example of a curse: God said to Adam: “By the sweat of your brow, shall you eat bread to eat” (Gen. 3:19).

          Here is a Talmudic example: “May it be Heaven’s will that a horn sprouts from between your eyes” (Shab. 108a). 

          Here is a modern example from a Yiddish curse: “ I hope you sink like a ship.”

          In the past, people took curses seriously. In fact, one Rabbi taught: “Let not the curse of a common man seem trivial in your eyes” (B. Meg, 15a). Many actually believed that curses had a power of action and derived their strength from the gods (e.g. I Sam. 17:43). That is, people thought that when someone uttered a curse, it will actually take place. Sheldon Blank, a biblical scholar, called them “automatic and self-fulfilling” (HUCA 33, 1950-51, 73-95). Therefore, many were afraid of being cursed.

          In order to insurance compliance, curses in the past were often attached to law codes or covenants. Here is an example of a curse from the Laws of Hammurabi (17^th cent. BCE): “May Enlil (the god) , the determiner of destinies…incite revolts against him [the person who disregards the laws] in his abode, which he cannot suppress, misfortune leading to his ruin” (ANET, p. 179, line 51). Here is another one found at the end of a treaty between Suppiluliumas, the Hittite king (14^th cent. BCE),  and Kurtizawa; “If you, Kurtiwaza, the prince……do not fulfil the words of this treaty, may the gods, the lords of the oath, blot you out” (ANET, 206). Similarly, many biblical law codes ended with blessings and curses to insure compliance. Here is an example from the curses attached to the end of the laws in Leviticus: “ If you do not obey Me (God)…I will loose wild beasts against you..(Lev. 26: 18-22).

          Today, however, many of us do not believe that curses include the power of action. Therefore they are not likely to take effect. They simply express our displeasure towards another. They do not have any reality attached to them. They are just silly statements, like, “May you always step in a wet spot after putting on fresh socks,” or, “some day you’ll go far-and I really hope you stay there.” So, don’t waste sleep over if someone utters a curse against you. It is not going to happen, though you may have to find a new friend.  

Dec. 15, 2021; Total pageviews: 680,124.  

DO YOU HAVE A TATTOO?

 Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D

          I do not, and don’t need one. But many people do. In fact, in my research I found out that Lucky D. Rich (d.1971), a New Zealand performance artist, is best known for holding the Guinness World Record as “the most tattooed person.” He had tattoos in every part of his body!

          The origin of the word “tattoo” is controversial. Some people derive it from the Samoan “tatau,” meaning “to strike,” others derive it from the Tahitian, “tatu,” meaning “to mark.” Was tattooing known in the past? Yes. Ancient Egyptians used to brand their slaves with the names of the owners to whom they belonged. It was a sign of submission.

          It is also not clear how tattooing became popular in the West. According to the dominant view, it was the British explorer, James Cook, who brought it back to Europe after his voyages to the Far East in the late 18^th century.  

          The Hebrew Bible prohibits tattooing when it states that a person should not “incise any marks” on oneself (Lev. 19:28). The Hebrew word for tattoo is ketovet  kaaka. We know ketovet refers to writing, but we don’t know exactly what  kaaka means. Nor do we know the root of the verb. Onkelos, the author of the Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible, 3^rd cent. CE, renders it as rushmin haretin, meaning, “engraving a mark.”

          It is not even clear why is there a prohibition against it, even though most scholars claim that somehow it has to do with idolatrous practices involving the cult of the dead (Martin Noth, Lev. p 143). The medieval Jewish commentator Ibn Ezra  seems to agree with it (see his comments on Lev. 19:28). The Quran does not specifically mention tattooing, but there is a strong Muslim tradition that considers tattooing “haram” (prohibited) based on the belief that one should not change the creation of Allah (See Quran, Women, 118-121). Christianity does not have a clear teaching on this subject.

          Jewish law is ambivalent on the subject of tattooing.  In general, it prohibits it, especially if it leaves a lasting mark (Mak. 3:6). However, Rabbi Simeon b. Judah, applied this law only in cases of idolatry (Mak. 21 a). The medieval Jewish philosopher , Maimonides, considered it an idolatrous practice (Mishne Torah, Laws of Idolatry, 12:11). There is also a popular belief that tattooed Jews are not allowed to be buried in Jewish cemeteries, but this is not correct (See, Freehof’s Responsa, viii, 119).  Yet, there are indications that in the past even some Jews accepted tattooing for the right reasons. According to the Hebrew Bible, it was acceptable if one were to mark his arm with a sign referring to God, thus becoming subservient to the divine: “Another shall mark his arm “of the Lord” “(Isa. 44:5, JPS).

          Why do people get tattoos today? You will get various answers: self-expression, artistic freedom, rebellion, to cover imperfections etc.

          One thing is clear: tattooing is here to stay, and I presume it will continue to be popular among many people.

          So, do you want to get a tattoo? Get one, and make sure it is medically safe, but you don’t need to compete with Lucky!

Dec. 5, 2021. Total pageviews world-wide:  677,239