The Pope & the Rabbi
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 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, 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. 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 the Holy 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 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 and I could not continue.
Meanwhile the Jewish community gathered around Rabbi
Moishe. What happened? they asked.
Well, said Moishe, First he said to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I said to him, Up yours! 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.
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 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, 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. 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 the Holy 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 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 and I could not continue.
Meanwhile the Jewish community gathered around Rabbi
Moishe. What happened? they asked.
Well, said Moishe, First he said to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I said to him, Up yours! 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.