I've been thinking about getting a remembrance tattoo for a while as well. If anything, I feel that any sort of tattoo that is oriented towards such a deep-meaning issue reaffirms one's humanity. By reappropriating those symbols that were once a sign of humiliation for our ancestors (including concentration camp numbers), and choosing to wear them to remind ourselves and others, we show we are not ashamed of saying who we are. Rather, we are willing to differentiate ourselves in a positive manner using once-negative imagery. I think it's incredibly powerful to permanently mark oneself in such a way, in order to show you are not ashamed of your ancestry, and that you will always remember how your ancestors once suffered so that you might be able to make the choice to mark yourself, as they were forced to be. As for following strict law and tradition, I think it's useful to consider other "traditions" within Judaism. Technically, we're not supposed to shave with a razor either(that includes women and their legs). Or have sex for non-reproductive means. Although there are those who choose to strictly follow those laws, there are others who don't, like me, and I think that's fine. In the end, I think a tattoo as it pertains to Judaism is something deeply personal, especially when it comes to remembrance.
I've been thinking about getting a remembrance tattoo for a while as well. If anything, I feel that any sort of tattoo that is oriented towards such a deep-meaning issue reaffirms one's humanity. By reappropriating those symbols that were once a sign of humiliation for our ancestors (including concentration camp numbers), and choosing to wear them to remind ourselves and others, we show we are not ashamed of saying who we are. Rather, we are willing to differentiate ourselves in a positive manner using once-negative imagery. I think it's incredibly powerful to permanently mark oneself in such a way, in order to show you are not ashamed of your ancestry, and that you will always remember how your ancestors once suffered so that you might be able to make the choice to mark yourself, as they were forced to be. As for following strict law and tradition, I think it's useful to consider other "traditions" within Judaism. Technically, we're not supposed to shave with a razor either(that includes women and their legs). Or have sex for non-reproductive means. Although there are those who choose to strictly follow those laws, there are others who don't, like me, and I think that's fine. In the end, I think a tattoo as it pertains to Judaism is something deeply personal, especially when it comes to remembrance.