Yes, a person with a tattoo can be buried in a Jewish cemetery with full Jewish burial rites (including Kever Yisrael (Jewish Burial), Taharah (Ritual Purification) by the Chevra Kadisha, and recitation of Kaddish).

This is the unanimous position of all major halachic authorities in both Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities today. The idea that a tattoo prevents Jewish burial is a widespread myth—often perpetuated as a "scare tactic" by well-meaning parents or educators—but it has no basis in halacha.

Bottom line: Getting a tattoo is a serious prohibition in the Torah that requires Teshuva (repentance), but it does not affect eligibility for Jewish burial. The myth likely started as a strong deterrent (similar to "you'll never get married" or "you'll burn in hell" warnings), but halachically it is simply not true.

If someone is dealing with this personally (either for themselves or a loved one), the correct approach is encouragement toward Teshuva, not fear of burial denial.

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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

Released as Podcast on January 9, 2026
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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org
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Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!
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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes
• For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#heyrabbi, #Tattoo, #Burial, #Jewish, #Law, #Teshuva

In this quick Jewish Inspiration exchange, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explains why there's no kosher McDonald's in the U.S. (unlike Israel): kosher meat requires not just a kosher animal, but proper ritual slaughter (shechita), soaking, washing, and salting to remove blood—a labor-intensive process making it significantly more expensive than non-kosher meat. A fully kosher McDonald's would need all ingredients and equipment kosher-certified, with no cross-contamination. While technically possible, the rabbi doubts profitability (e.g., kosher McNuggets couldn't sell cheaply). Ultimately, it boils down to demand and economics—if profitable, it could happen.
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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

Released as Podcast on January 4, 2026
_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA

_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org
_____________
Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes
• For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
  _____________

Keywords:
#heyrabbi, #Kosher, #McDonalds, #Meat, #Shechita, #JewishFood, #KosherLaws, #Halacha, #FastFood, #RabbiExplains, #JewishDiet

In this concise yet profound Hey Rabbi! episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe demystifies the term "Chosen People": Jews are called chosen not because Hashem arbitrarily favored one nation, but because—at Mount Sinai—every other nation rejected the Torah when offered, citing commandments they couldn't accept (e.g., "Do not steal," "Do not commit adultery"), while the Jewish people enthusiastically declared "Na'aseh v'nishma" ("We will do and we will listen")—choosing Hashem unconditionally. This mutual choice forms the eternal bond: we chose God, and He chose us in return.

The Midrash illustrates this with non-Jewish prophets (even Balaam, more powerful than Moses in prophecy) receiving the offer and declining. Daily blessings affirm "Who chose us from all nations"—a reciprocal relationship rooted in free will and commitment, not superiority. The episode inspires embracing Torah as the ultimate gift and privilege we actively accepted.
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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

Released as Podcast on January 1, 2026
_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA

_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org
_____________
Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes
• For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#heyrabbi #Chosen, #AmYisroel, #Torah, #Sinai, #Jewish, #Choice, #Identity