Did the jews not understand the levitical laws?

Again, you are way off base here.......

Why don't we not call the Word of God, "stuff", and actually quote the passages you are talking about so that we can answer your question.

Exodus 21:23-24..."But if there is serious injury (causing the death of a pregnant woman), you are to take life for life, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wouldn for wound, bruise for bruise."

Leviticus 24:17-18..."If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death Anyone who takes the life of someone's animal must make restitution.....(verse 20)...fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth."

If you look at the context of these verses, God is talking about legal restitution, NOT revenge. These passages talk about when a killing is considered murder and when it is considered accidental death and what to do in each case under the umbrella of the law.

These verses in no way, shape, or form are talking about revenge or getting even with someone when you think you have been wronged. These laws and verses are actually protection against people who want to go around practicing vigilanty justice. God makes provisions for the death penalty and when to apply and when not to apply it and how far someone should make financial restitution and other types of restitution.

Try reading the passages in their entirety and know that your interpretation of what God was saying to His people is not only off the mark, but just the opposite of what you are saying.

Yes, He did.

Matthew 5:39..."But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

He didn't change anything.

These two passages are not contradictory statements. They are complimentary statements.

Jesus is talking about not seeking revenge nor evil from someone by misinterpreting the Old Testament law (He refers to it in verse 38.)

Jesus isn't disagreeing with God. He is saying that sometimes we think that we deserve to have restitution made to us, but we just need to blow it off and move on and get over it.

He isn't necessarily talking about literally or physical blows to your face. He is talking about not seeking revenge and making rational decisions as to what is worth fighting with someone about and what isn't.

Many times, we gripe about being wronged and maybe we have been wronged, but in some instances we should not all those revengeful thoughts to direct our lives.

If that's true, then that person is just as misguided about Jesus' words as you are about both of these passages. Jesus isn't saying to allow someone to harm you or your family. He is saying that if possible, just walk away, move on, and allow something else other than revenge to take root in your heart.

There is a wonderful passage in Proverbs that speaks to both of the passages and it helps interpret them both.

Proverbs 19:11..."A man's wisdom give him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

God gave strict instructions in quite lengthy passages in two separate books of the bible as to what kind of legal and lawful restitution could made when people grievously wrong other people.

Jesus fulfilled the spirit of that law and said to be careful that you don't allow restitution to turn into revenge.

King Solomon said that we are made glorious if we can know the difference.