CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
76. Pierced Ears
QUESTION: The custom
of piercing the earlobe in order to insert an ear ring has again become widespread. What does
Jewish tradition have to say about this? Is it permissible according to tradition? (V. Kavaler,
Pittsburgh, PA)
ANSWER: The piercing of the earlobe is one of the few surgical
procedures mentioned in the Bible, however, in a totally different connection. If a Hebrew
slave, who was to serve for six years and be freed in the seventh year, declared that he loved his
master, and his wife and children did not wish to be freed, then “he shall be brought to the door
or the doorpost and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall then remain his
slave for life, ” (Ex. 21. 6; Tosefta B. K. 7.5). Pierced ears in Biblical times, therefore,
clearly indicated lifelong slavery and were a permanent form of branding the individual. It was
considered appropriate to pierce the cartilage so that the wound site would never close again,
although there was some controversy about this (Bekh. 37a; Kid. 21b).
In our
instance, however, we are not dealing with permanent marks on the ear, but rather with a way of
holding decorative items of female ornamentation. Piercing for this purpose was known in
Talmudic times (M. Shab. 6.6). For that matter, not only were ornaments worn in the ear
during the Talmudic period, but also as signs of various trades and professions. So, a writer
would carry a quill, a carpenter a little piece of wood, and a money changer, a coin, while other
professions carried other items (Tos. Shab. 1.8; Shab. 11b; J. Shab. 3b). It is clear,
therefore, that such a surgical procedure was permitted in Talmudic times, nor was it prohibited
later, although during frequent periods it was not fashionable.
Generally this matter is
related to the Talmudic willingness to encourage women to beautify themselves. For example,
spices are frequently mentioned, and a dealer in spices could visit women in the women’s
quarter, although such visits were prohibited to anyone else (B.K. 82a; B. B. 22a). Furthermore,
women could continue to beautify themselves even during the semi-holiday period (Shulhan
Arukh Orah Hayim 346.5) and a husband had to provide the means for such beautification
(Ket. 64b). Many other references along these lines could also be provided.
We may,
therefore, conclude that piercing one’s ears for the sake of beautification would be permissible to
Jewish women according to tradition.
September 1983
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.