What does Judaism say about tattoos and body piercings?

[HollywoodJono]

I have seen a lot of Jewish people with tattoos and body piercings but always heard that the this isn’t really approved of in Judaism but is this really true and if so why would so many people defy their religion by doing it?

[geessewereabove]

There are 613 Commandments that God gave to Moses! #11 and 12 are in the same chapter as the first ten and the\y continue from there. And Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:17-20 that we are to Obey them all!
When new people became Christian in Acts they were permitted to not have to obey all of these at start. But they were learned over time. Being Christian takes lots of effort and Love of God.
In 305/6 A.D. there were 30 men that did Not like having to do ALL that is required of us to be Christian. 29 of them decided to make their own religion, with 604 of the Commandments removed and named themselves "Catholic". They even removed the Second Commandment and split the Tenth in to two, that requires ud to Pray Only To God! Never to pray to anyone or anything else!
Among these removed Commandments is one to Not tattoo or pierce one self.

[Talmidah]

Hello, HJ
The Torah says in Leviticus 19: 28 not to do tattoos or any kind of body marking, so what you heard is true. Some Christians don't do tattooing for the same reason, but that is a matter of personal conviction for Christians. So, for a Jewish person, it would be considered going against their religion, but for a Christian, it would depend on their personal conviction whether it was or not.
. I hope that answers your question :-)

[Jonhenry]

"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28).

Many people go against their religious teachings. I have even heard there are a few Christians who in defiance of Jesus' commandment refuse to sell all they have and give it to the poor.

It is almost as if some people are hypocrites.

[EddieJ]

Orthodox Jews don't do it but Reform will.

Some people claim that someone can't be buried in a Jewish cemetery with tattoos or piercings but that is a myth.

Today is the Jewish Sabbath, so not the best time to ask such a question.