To the editor:
Regarding Rabbi Laurence Kotok’s essay, “Question what film portrays” in your April issue, Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ” was Christ’s passion story told for Lent and Easter, our High Holy Days, a time during which we meditate on Jesus, and enduring our private sufferings and private sacrifices to become more like Jesus.
Perhaps that’s why the Jews aren’t blamed. We don’t place blame. That isn’t the intent of our meditation and reflection. It’s the opposite of our meditation. We look to Jesus and his suffering and thank God.
The Jews didn’t do it, God did. The reason we state it had to happen was because of our own sins. We aren’t angry it happened, we’re glad it happened, with sadness for Jesus’ pain. What appears bad is good. We’re celebrating! Hence, the Jews aren’t really brought into it except as a tangential vehicle. Oddly, they get no credit.
Susan Wemett
Rawlinson Road
Rochester
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