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 picked the aged but wise
Rabbi Moishe to represent them, but since he spoke no Italian and the Pope no Yiddish, they agreed 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, and 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. Next, 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 the Rabbi
and asked “How did you win the debate?”
“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.”
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
|