as a jewish person is it wrong to get tattoos?

Yes it is prohibited. However, you seem to have been born to Jewish mother who did not tell you she was Jewish (if I am reading this right as that woudl be the only way this could really happen. Kind of the Madeline Albright scenario) and didn't know you were to keep the Torah at that time. I would say now that you have accepted your responsiblity and obligations as Jew that you never get another. I am sure you ate pork chops and lobster and violated other laws before you knew and you can't take those back either.

Just keep the Torah as you can now. Educate yourself and understand the reasons behind the laws.

If you feel badly about it then get it removed but my father who is a Rabbi tells people to keep them. Having them removed is almost as bad as getting them in the first place. Just proceed on as though you didn't have them.

Have fun learning and growing in Judaism.

Well, basically, since the body that you have technically isn't YOURS--you only borrowing it from G-d in order to fulfill your part in this world (according to Jewish beliefs, of course), then you're not really allowed to "change" it and have to take care of it by not getting tattooes and other stuff like that (including commiting suicide).

Feivel already gave you a GREAT answer. I just wanted to share with you something I wrote about Jews and tattoos a while back. It may give you a few things to think about, too.

Shalom :)

It is a violation of direct commandment in Leviticus.

In Leviticus 19:28, the Torah forbids tattooing: "You shall not scrape your flesh for a (dead) soul, and tattoos do not put upon you, I am the Lord."

This was one of the commands to the covenant nation that appears to set Israel apart from the other nations surrounding them who often had tattoos marking their allegiance to false gods. Even among the un-Orthodox like me, this commandment seemed to have a lot of weight throughout the centuries. Jews and tattoos do not mix. It was also one of the reasons that the tattooing of Jews in the concentration camps was such a horrible thing. It was another act the Nazis did to humiliate and to violate the faith and practice of Jews. Both of my parents were raised to believe that it is just not something a Jew does. They passed that down to both my brother and me.

I know Jews with tattoos. I have known Jews with the concentration camp tattoos. All of them are dead now. The only living Jews with tattoos I know personally put them there themselves. I cannot seem to come to accept that. I have no problem with seeing tattoos on most people. I have found myself admiring the beauty of some tattoos. I can appreciate the deeply spiritual and cultural significance of tattoos to certain peoples. I can appreciate the meaning of empowerment or strength a tattoo on a bald head can give to a cancer survivor, But somehow, in my thinking to see a tattoo on children or on Jews, it does not seem right. It makes me sad to see it.

My agnostic husband was raised in part by his Baptist grandmother who also quoted that passage to her grandchildren in teaching them that our body is something to honor. We need to be very careful in how we decorate it so we do not ever bring dishonor to our family, our community or ourselves. My husband and I do not and shall not ever have any tattoos. God forbid, if our son ever wants one, he must be grown and on his own before he can make that decision for himself. As it now stands, he does not even like the play/sticker tattoos that are popular with children.

So, does this view make me seem superstitious? Narrow? On the other hand, does it seem contradictory or odd that I find validity in this yet I will eat shellfish? What should one say to Jews who declare they are showing pride in their Jewish faith or heritage to have a tattoo of a Chai or Mogen David or the name of HaShem? Would it make a difference if the tattoo were on their breasts or buttocks?

I never claimed to be uncomplicated.

Nevertheless, I believe a tattoo of Jewish symbols or in Hebrew certainly seems the most blatant way to dishonor the command of Leviticus. It is a very un-Jewish thing to do to your body. Althought,contrary to a rumor I've heard of recent, a Jew with a tattoo can be buried in a Jewish cemetary.

To any Jew who considers a tattoo: Are you one to blindly follow a fad, or are you a light unto the nations?

Only those who can understand the Hebrew in your tattoo will be able to appreciate the meaning of the words, yet Jews are also precisely the people you're most likely to offend by placing tattoos on your body using the holy language of Torah.

Please consider these things before you place such a permanent mark on your body.

yes the scrriptures condemn it

(Leviticus 19:28) 28 “‘And YOU must not make cuts in YOUR flesh for a deceased soul, and YOU must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves. I am Jehovah.

The bible reads to not make marking on your body of the dead! Leviticus 19:28

Leviticus 19:28 (NIV)

28 " 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

The Torah forbids tattoos. Don't worry about the tattoos, you didn't know at the time

You can't find out that you are Jewish! Don't you know Judaism is a religion and not a race? Believe me, if you "found out" then you are not Jewish.

If you decide to become Jewish it will take about a year or so and lots of sessions with a rabbi. Once you become Jewish, I would not get any more tatoos if you didn't want to. It depends a lot on what branch of Judiasm you join.

in your case its not considered a "sin" because you didn't know

now God wouldn't hate you for having a tattoo even if you knew the law

if you really feel uncomfortable with the tattoo then get it off

It is against Gods Torah.But remember it is also commanded that men are not to shave their beards.Do you see jews violating that instruction?You cannot change the fact that you have tattoos.You can try to obey the rest that you know is right.God understands your heart and situation.I am a member of messianic judaism.I have had to deal with this myself.Ive got lots of them(tattoos)God forgives our mistakes.