I'm becoming more observant - is my tattoo a chatzitzah?

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I’m becoming more observant – is my tattoo a chatzitzah?

September 10, 2004

Question

Prior to my interest in Judaism, I had a small butterfly tattooed on my foot.

Now I am deepening my practice of Judaism and want to start observing niddah and begin going to the mikvah. Is the tattoo considered a barrier? Must I have it surgically removed prior to beginning mikvah?

What are your thoughts? Thank you for your web site. It has been very helpful!

Answer

As the tattoo is a permanent part of your body, it does not constitute a barrier to using the mikveh. There is no need to have it removed surgically for this reason.