Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to
convert or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry 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.
The Jewish people picked the aged but wise Rabbi Moishe to represent
them in the debate. However, as Moishe spoke no Italian and the Pope no
Yiddish, they all 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
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.
Later, the Cardinals met with the Pope, asking what had happened.
The Pope said, "First, I held up three fingers to represent
theTrinity. 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 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."
Finally, 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 and I could not continue."
Meanwhile the Jewish community was gathered around Rabbi Moishe.
"How did you win the debate?" they asked.
"I haven't a clue," said Rabbi Moishe. "First the Pope 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 Rabbi Moishe, "He took out his lunch, so I took
out mine."
2007-02-05
23:13:41
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26 answers
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asked by
GoreyAlan Fáilte
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