[concerned about politics]

Just out of curiosity, what is the Jewish belief regarding the crucifixion of Christ?

They don't believe Jesus was the prophesied messiah. They were to be sent a king, but they got a king of peace rather than the mighty military king they wanted. So, they're still waiting for their messiah. Christians believe Jesus was the one who was to come.

In my opinion, they don't want people to believe Jesus was the Christ prophesied in the old Testament. They don't believe it. They don't want other people to believe it either.

[AlbionGirl]

In my opinion, they don't want people to believe Jesus was the Christ prophesied in the old Testament. They don't believe it. They don't want other people to believe it either.

Maybe your right, I don't know. The one thing I've always wondered though, but never had the opportunity to ask anyone I know, that would know, is if there is a prevalent sentiment of dislike for Jesus in the Jewish community. IOW, do they see him as an eternal thorn in the side?

Following is a pre-review of the movie by Rod Dreher (National Review Online) which I found salient:

RE: THE PASSION

I saw it yesterday, and was deeply moved. I'll have a column about it in tomorrow's Dallas Morning News. But a few things here: 1) the intensity of this film blasts away the standard bourgeois American domesticated Jesus we get from too many pulpits today; it's impossible to come out of this movie and to remain satisfied with the faith as it is lived in much of America, and even in your own life; 2) I was startled by how much empathy I had for Caiaphas and Pilate; echoing Mike's comments, the movie made me see that both of them reacted very humanly to the "problem" of Jesus: if I were a temple priest, and I'd had to listen to this preacher going around calling me and my kind hypocrites, and then had him right in front of me claiming to be the Messiah, I'd surely see him as an outrageous blasphemer; if I were Pilate, a colonial bureaucrat who just wanted to keep the peace and avoid trouble, why wouldn't I have given this innocent stranger over to die, if it made my life easier? Like Mike said, the religious and political authorities just wanted to defend order -- and lots of us contemporary conservatives understand the impulse.

Which is all to say that this film made me understand in my bones that if I had been there, I probably would have wanted to crucify him too. And, as the Church teaches, in some mystical way, I did.

[montag813]

They don't believe Jesus was the prophesied messiah. They were to be sent a king, but they got a king of peace rather than the mighty military king they wanted.

Israel continues to be frustrated by would-be military leaders who later prove themselves as cowards. Rabin. Barak. Sharon. All were merciless with the enemy, and later turned on their own. Sharon is still a work in progress, but the Gaza withdrawl is hardly reassuring.

[adam_az]

They don't believe it. They don't want other people to believe it either.

Where do you get that idea?

[rmlew]

In my opinion, they don't want people to believe Jesus was the Christ prophesied in the old Testament. They don't believe it. They don't want other people to believe it either.
Christians are greatly preferable to pagans.

[mdmathis6]

"In my opinion, they don't want people to believe Jesus was the Christ prophesied in the old Testament. They don't believe it. They don't want other people to believe it either."

I think you pegged to a "T"! Jews would want all men to become Jews. Moslems would want all to become Moslems. Christians are told to be witnesses to the nations regarding Jesus and the Gospel. Most people want to be around people who agree with them in values and beliefs. It's only natural that some Jews would be uncomfortable with a belief system that creates a cognitive dissonance with their own. They also consider it weakness to admit to it, so they create high minded flowery statements regarding "intolerance" and cast all evangelical Christians as bigots. But where is the real bigotry coming from, in regards to this movie....., hmmmmmm?

[jeremiah]

Actually Yeshua's last statement, was a pointed quotation for the Jewish leadership. He told them who he was by quoting scripture "My God My God, why has thou forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46-Mark 15:34 ....Compare that to Psalms 22. It is a clear prophecy of the crucificion.

I am sure you know of this, but I wrote it for others to see.