The Pope and Rabbi

The Pope and 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  Moshe 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 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 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 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."