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The Pope and 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 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, 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 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 were 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."

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