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Commission
On Interreligious Affairs
of Reform Judaism
Mel
Gibson’s “The Passion” Good or Bad
for the Jews?
by Rabbi Fred Guttman
Many
of you have come to me recently and asked what I know
about this film. Here is what I do know. A group of
scholars examined the script of the film and raised
concerns that the film could portray the Jewish people
in an unfavorable light. There is some reason to believe
that parts of the film might have been redone as a
result of the criticism of the scholars.
The film is based not only upon the gospels, but also
upon the visions of Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich
(1774-1824) as recorded in her book, "The Dolorous
Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." Emmerich was
clearly an anti-Semite and Gibson acknowledges being
inspired by her. Visions of a 19th century anti-Semitic
nun cannot be viewed as reliable sources of first
century history.
A great deal of the conflict concerning this film
might be found within the Catholic Church itself.
Gibson is a traditionist Catholic who rejects many
of the innovations in worship and liturgy within the
Catholic Church in the past forty years, including
the pronouncement of the Vatican II council in 1965
which maintained that Jews are not responsible for
the death of Jesus.
Jews and Christians will probably see this movie in
very different ways. Jews will be concerned with how
the crucifixion of Jesus is portrayed and to what
extent the Jews are deemed accountable for his death.
Historically during the Middle Ages, "Passion"
plays in Europe led to the death of countless Jews.
Hitler used the Oberammergau Passion Play in Bavaria,
to indoctrinate the SS. Therefore, we are right to
be worried about a possible increase in anti-Semitism
as a result of this film.
On the other hand, many Christian viewers will view
this film as a religious event of the highest significance.
I predict that many devout Christians will come out
of the movie in tears having seen the intense suffering
of Jesus. By the way, some of the suffering might
not be supported by historical fact, but could be
the result of Gibson's tendency to use gratuitous
violence in his films. (For example, Braveheart.)
We need to understand that most of our Christian neighbors
will see this film as not at all anti-Semitic, but
as a wonderful portrayal of how Jesus died to save
the world from sin.
So what should be our response? First of all, I think
that we need to reserve judgment until the movie is
released, at which time I am trying to arrange a viewing
with some of my friends in the Protestant clergy,
after which we will engage in dialogue. I will be
attending a seminar on this issue in early February
with Dr David Levinson, a New Testament scholar from
Florida State.
Our
congregation is embarking on a wonderful dialogue
series with St Paul's Catholic Church. The dialogue
series will have seven to ten sessions in which we
will learn from one another about each other's faith
and tradition. Please contact Brenda Henley if you
would like to be a part of this exciting project.
Above
all, let us realize that most of our neighbors are
not anti-Semitic, but are good people trying to live
according to the best of their faith tradition. We
should try to understand what this film will mean
to them and not overreact to the non-historical parts
of the film. Certainly, we do not need to turn this
film into a "Christian versus Jew" issue
within our community. A low profile here is probably
best.
Finally, I will be giving a review of the film at
Friday evening services on February 27.
Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion," will represent
both a challenge and opportunity for Christian Jewish
relationships. Hopefully, the movie will present an
opportunity for Jews and Christians to understand
each other a little better.
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