Bishop 12
I have a question pertaining to dressing modestly. Some of the females in my life (family, friends) have different views on makeup when dressing modestly. What's everyones views on this? Even though I'm a guy I'm just curious. Thanks.
Judaism has no formal stance on cosmetics. The only guideline is that one should not be made up as a harlot would be. I've never known any Jew, no matter how strict, who said that a woman shouldn't wear cosmetics at all. The goal is to avoid being mistaken for someone who allows herself to be thought of, and treated, as only a body. The strictest people I know, some of my dear friends in fact, say that one should strive to be "attractive, but not attracting." Cosmetics, if they are worn, should be that which enhances one's natural attributes, rather than what emphasizes them in an overtly enticing manner. I could, and do, wear a lip gloss or lipstick which is barely brighter or deeper than my natural lip shade; eye makeup that barely makes my eyes more visible. I could also wear blush to very subtly contour my cheeks, but I don't feel they need it, so I don't bother with it.
We also don't have any issue with ear piercing in the lobe, though you'll find differing opinions on whether one should pierce higher on the cartilage. My rabbi says there's nothing in halachah (Jewish law) that would forbid a nose piercing, though he's iffy on the subject of eyebrow, tongue, lip, or septum piercing. Piercing below the neck is not something I've asked about or cared to know, but I suspect it would be discouraged even if it isn't downright forbidden.
Tattooing is strictly forbidden, for two reasons. One is the Biblical directive, "You shall not put a mark in your flesh in memory of the dead." The other is not a direct commandment but rather implied in, "And Hashem (God) made the human in his image." If we're already in the image of Hashem, the rabbinic sages reasoned, why would we feel the need to improve upon it? It's impossible to improve upon perfection! So, the ancient rabbis forbade all tattooing because it's an insult to Hashem's handiwork.
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