"A Silent Debate"

[kpete]

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."

https://blog.culturaldetective.com/2012/10/30/respect-for-all-spiritual-traditions/http://www.aeriagloris.com/Resources/humor/areligiousdebate.htm

[mountain grammy]

1. Very funny

[Stuart G]

2. An old joke, great to laugh this morning...thanks for posting...nt