Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the 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 the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.
The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.
On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite 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 pointed to the ground where he sat.
The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
The rabbi pulled out an apple.
With that, the Pope stood up 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 him 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 faiths.
Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. The rabbi responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us.
I pulled out the wine and host to show that through the perfect sacrifice Jesus has atoned for our sins, but the rabbi 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'd won.
"I haven't a clue," said the rabbi. "First, he told 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 but I told him emphatically that we were staying right here."
"And then what?" asked a woman.
"Who knows?" said the rabbi. "He took out his lunch, so I took out mine."
Sylvia's world in thoughts and pictures
I miss you Sam!!
I miss you Sam!!
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I'm interested in almost everything. Use to like to travel, but it's too expensive now. I take Tai Chi classes, swim, volunteer in a Jump-start program for pre-schoolers. I'm an avid reader and like nearly everyone these days I follow politics avidly. I'm a former teacher and Special Projects Coordinator for a Telecommunications company, Assistant to the President of a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturing company. Am now enjoying retirement -- most of the time. I have two daughters, one son-in-law and two sons scattered all over the country. No grandchildren.
13 comments:
That just made my day. Very good, a very funny story. Just goes to show that people understand things differently to others - no two are alike.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
ROFLMAO...Great joke for Sunday. I really enjoyed it :) Too funny.
Oh Sylvia, you have NO idea how much I appreciate your posting this! I loved it!
I have a niece who sees everything very black and white,and just cannot understand or accept that there really are individual sides to a story, or a belief. I'm going to send her this and see what she says...
Thanks for the laugh too!
I agree with Susan. What a fabulous story. I love this! I'm going to have to add a link to this on my blog. Fabulous!
I laugh every time I hear that one.
Thanks for printing it.
Shalom from Jerusalem. :)
Really good one! lol
This is a reminder that not one person in life can see or interpret an event the same way. We make up stories, and that in its self is a reason for living. Lets all embrace being unique, different, and create new ways of experiencing energy in perpetual motion.
Kay is right. This one is a real winner!
Oh, my! :-)
Sylvia;
Your joke just made my day. It's raining and cold outside and inside it's warm and sunny.
Thanks friend.
Great joke. It's all in one's perception - or lack of perception!
That was brilliant! Thanks for the laugh.
LOL and again LOL.
And I am still smiling - thank you for giving the smile to me!!!
And even a bigger THANK YOU for coming so often to my blogs, love
Maria Berg Sweden
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