THE POPE AND THE RABBI......

[Guest guest]

THE POPE AND THE RABBI......

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to

convert or leave Italy. There was a huge out cry from the Jewish

community, so the Pope offered a deal. He would have a religious

debate with the leader of the Jewish community.

If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy, if the Pope won, they

would have to leave or convert.

 

The Jewish people met and picked an aged, but wise, Rabbi Moishe to

represent them in the debate. However, as Moishe spoke no Italian

and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, it was agreed that it would be

a "silent" debate.

 

On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat opposite each other

for a full minute before the Pope raised his hand and showed three

fingers. Rabbi Moishe looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.

Rabbi Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope then brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.

Rabbi Moishe pulled out an apple.

 

With that, the Pope stood up and declared that he was beaten, that

Rabbi Moishe was too clever and that the Jews could stay in Italy.

Later, the Cardinals met with the Pope, asking what had happened.

 

The Pope said, "First, I held up three fingers to represent the

Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me that

there is still only one God common to both our beliefs. Then, I

waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all

around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God

was also right here with us.

I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all

our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.

He had me beaten at my every move and I could not continue."

 

Meanwhile the Jewish community gathered around Rabbi Moishe. "How

did you win the debate?" they asked. "I haven't a clue," said

Moishe. "First he said to me that we had three days to get out of

Italy, so I gave him the finger! Then he tells me that the whole

country would be cleared of Jews and I said to him, we're staying

right here".

 

"And then what?" asked a woman.

 

"Who knows?" said Moishe, "He took out his lunch so I took out mine"