Thread: The Pope And The Rabbi

This is an oldie but I can't find where it's been done
in this forum.

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all Jews had
to convert to catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge
outcry from the Jewish community so the Pope offered a
deal.

He'd have a religious debate with a member of the Jewish
community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if
they lost, they'd have to convert or leave.

The Jews picked an aged and wise Rabbi to represent them.
However, as the Rabbi spoke no Italian and the Pope spoke
no Yiddish, they agreed it would be a silent debate.

On the chosen day, the Pope and the Rabbi sat facing
each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.

The Rabbi looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.

The Rabbi responded by pointing to the ground.

The Pope produced a communion wafer and a chalice
of wine.

The Rabbi produced an apple.

With that, the Pope stood and declared himself beaten
and said that the Rabbi was too clever. The Jews could
stay in Italy.

Later, the cardinals met with the Pope and asked what
had happened.

The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent
the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger
to remind me there is still only one God common to both
our beliefs."

"Then I waved my finger around my head to show him God
is all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground
to show that God was also right here with us."

"I produced wine and a wafer to show that God absolves
us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of
the original sin. He bested me at every move and I could
not continue."

Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the
Rabbi how he had won.

"I haven't a clue," the Rabbi said. "First he told me we had
three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger."

"Then he told me the whole country would be cleared
of Jews so I told him we were staying right here."

"And what then?" asked a woman.

"Who knows?" said the Rabbi. He took out his lunch
so I took out mine."