Most of my Jewish friends say that the old testament (they don't call it that but I refer to it that way for convenience) was written by several competing authors, and that the early Jewish leaders had the foresight to incorporate the competing versions into one book rather than divide the tribes. Thus, they can deal with the contradictions as contradictions without diluting their faith in the message. To them the contradictions are a reality, but it is the message of their holy book that is important.
Most of my Christian friends try to explain away the contradictions in both old and new testament. It is as if they can't accept the reality of the limitations of written works. Unless they can weave every phrase in the bible into a singular consistent presentation, it loses its significance for them.
the old saying "Jews believe, Christians preach" seems most applicable.