Question
Dear Rabbi,
My son in law believes that it is not right for Jewish girls to wear earrings. He says that in ancient times earrings were a sign of slavery and that Jews should not wear them. My daughter says he is wrong, and that in thier orthodox community, all the women have their daughters ears pierced on the eighth day of their life, as a Brit like a boy would have. I have also heard that in ancient times that wearing of earrings was to adorn the ears so as to beautify the ears to hear the "Shma".
Is it acceptable for Jewish girls to have their ears pierced for earrings?
Answer
Religious women have traditionally worn earrings. Earrings are mentioned in Ezekiel 16 12 in a favorable context.
