The Stories We Chose To Wear - Can Jewish tradition and tattoos ever be part of the same conversation?

Episode 11  ·  Jul 09, 01:53 PM
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What does Jewish tradition really say about tattoos? Rabbi Miriam Berger, Abigail Morris and Hebrew calligrapher Gabriel Wolff explore faith, identity, grief and ritual in a thoughtful conversation about the stories we choose to carry and the marks we leave behind.

In this thoughtful and surprisingly nuanced episode, Miriam explores one of Judaism's most debated contemporary questions with renowned Hebrew calligrapher and tattoo artist Gabriel Wolff.

Together, with Abigail Morris they unpack the biblical prohibition on tattoos, the history behind the verse in Leviticus, and why the conversation is far more complex than many people realise. From Holocaust memory and Jewish identity to ritual, grief, migration and personal transformation, this is a discussion about the stories we carry—both on our skin and within ourselves.

Rather than asking simply whether tattoos are permitted, the conversation explores why people seek permanent markers of life's defining moments, how Jewish ritual helps us navigate change, and whether ancient tradition and modern self-expression can coexist.

Whether you're deeply observant, proudly secular, tattooed, tattoo-curious, or simply interested in Jewish thought, this episode offers a compassionate and intellectually rich exploration of identity, memory and what it means to mark a life well lived.