Can men get a piercing?

Question

Is an ear piercing begged isha? It’s very mainstream now to the point where I’m thinking that there’s a chance that it might be alright. Thoughts

Besides the beged isha problem, which perhaps is not relevant in certain locales, there is an issue of chavala (for beauty it is permitted for a woman, for a man it’s highly debatable) and the issue of chukas hagoyim. — Chatzkel, Jul 27 '22 at 03:26
Also a late welcome to MiYodeya David. Great to have you learn with us! — mbloch, Jul 27 '22 at 03:29
@Chatzkel why does gender affect if "beauty" is a reason to mutilate your body? — Double AA, Jul 27 '22 at 03:59
@DoubleAA see RSZ in Minchat Shlomo II:82 who makes that distinction — Chatzkel, Jul 27 '22 at 11:16
Forget about begged isha, now that I think about it why aren’t all piercings forbidden because of כתבת קעקע? — Curious Yid, Jul 27 '22 at 23:58

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 27 '22 at 15:29

The Talmud says:

[On Shabbat], a tailor must not go out with a needle stuck in his garment, nor a carpenter with a chip in his ear. [Shabbat 11b]

Rashi informs us that men wore earrings that indicated their trades.

Body piercings are generally allowed by Jewish law, according to responsa by Rav Moshe Feinstein [Igrot Moshe Choshen Mishpat 2:66] and the Lubavitcher Rebbe [Likutei Sikhot, v20, p 568]. In areas where body piercing is practiced only by women, men may not do it. [Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh Deah, 182:5]

Can men get a piercing?

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