Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Christianity or leave Italy. There was, naturally enough, a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He would have an open religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy, but 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 Hebrew, & the handful of Jews & Gentiles who spoke the other’s language could not be trusted to provide accurate, unbiased translation, they all agreed that it would be a "silent" debate, conducted entirely in mime & sign language.
On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat motionless opposite each other for a full minute before the Pope slowly raised his hand and showed three fingers. Rabbi Moishe looked back expressionlessly and raised one finger. Next the Pope waved his finger slowly around his head. Rabbi Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat. The Pope then summoned in a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
In response, Rabbi Moishe produced an apple from his robe. Abruptly, 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 in consternation, asking what had happened. Tiredly, the Pope explained:
"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 faiths. Then, I waved my finger to 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. I realised at this point that he had me beaten and I could not continue."
Meanwhile in the Jewish community the rabbis & scribes were gathered around Rabbi Moishe.
"How did you win the debate?" they demanded.
Moishe, shrugged, & said:
"I haven't a clue. 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 min
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