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Wed, Apr 22 2026, 14:58:12 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3] ]

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Date Posted: Mon, Jun 19 2000, 21:53:39
Author: steve
Subject: Several centuries ago,


Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the
Jews had to leave Italy. There was, of course, a huge
outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a
deal. He would have a religious debate with a leader of
the Jewish community. If the Jewish leader won the
debate, the Jews would be permitted to stay in Italy.
If the Pope won, the Jews would have to leave.

The Jewish community met and picked an aged Rabbi,
Moishe, to represent them in the debate. Rabbi Moishe,
however, could not speak Latin and the Pope could not
speak Yiddish. So it was decided that this would be a
"silent" debate.

On the day of the great debate, 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 chalice of wine.
Rabbi Moishe pulled out an apple. With that, the Pope
stood up and said, "I concede the debate. This man has
bested me. The Jews can stay."

Later, the Cardinals gathered around the Pope, asking
him 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 was still
one God common to both our religions. Then I waved my
finger around me 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 the wafer to show that God absolves us of our sins.
He pulled out an apple to remind me of original sin. He
had an answer for everything. What could I do?"

Meanwhile, the Jewish community crowded around Rabbi
Moishe, asking what happened. "Well," said Moishe,
"first he said to me, 'You Jews have three days to get
out of here.' So I said to him, 'Up yours'. Then he
tells me the whole city would be cleared of Jews. So I
said to him, 'Listen here Mr. Pope, the Jews ... we
stay right here!"

"And then?" asked a woman.

"Who knows?" said Rabbi Moishe. "We broke for lunch."

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