One day, many years ago, the Pope decides he wants all the Jews out of Rome, so he tells the Chief Rabbi. The Rabbi says, “You can’t do that to us! You at least have to give us a chance to stay.” So the Pope agrees they’ll have a debate over it. However, due to language differences, the debate will be held entirely in sign language. The Rabbi reluctantly agrees to the terms, and the next day, they meet just outside The Vatican.
The Pope begins by waving one arm over his head; the Rabbi points to the ground.
Next, the Pope holds up three fingers. The Rabbi holds his index finger up, and twists it.
Finally, the Pope takes a chalice and bread from the folds of his robe. The Rabbi pulls out an apple. The Pope declares the debate is over, and that the Rabbi has won.
Back at the Vatican, the Catholics ask the Pope, “what happened?”
“Well,” the Pope answers, “First I told the Rabbi that God rules all the Heavens. But he responded by telling me Satan still rules the Earth. Then I told him the Trinity rules all, but he countered by reminding me that, in the end, there is still but one God. So I took out the Sacraments to remind him of our Savior’s sacrifice, but he countered even that by reminding me of original sin, as represented by his apple. So the Jews may remain!”
Over on the other side of town, the Jews want to know what happened. “Well,” the Chief Rabbi explained, “The Pope first waved his hands over his head, telling me ‘We Catholics own all of this, and you Jews must leave! So I pointed to the ground to tell him, ’We Jews are staying right here!’ Then he held up three fingers to tell me ‘You Jews have three days to get out of Rome!’ And of course I replied, we were here FIRST, and you can sit on THIS!”
“OK,” says his audience. “But then what?”
“I don’t know,” the Rabbi admitted. “He took out his lunch, so I took out mine.”
One day, many years ago, the Pope decides he wants all the Jews out of Rome, so he tells the Chief Rabbi. The Rabbi says, “You can’t do that to us! You at least have to give us a chance to stay.” So the Pope agrees they’ll have a debate over it. However, due to language differences, the debate will be held entirely in sign language. The Rabbi reluctantly agrees to the terms, and the next day, they meet just outside The Vatican.
The Pope begins by waving one arm over his head; the Rabbi points to the ground.
Next, the Pope holds up three fingers. The Rabbi holds his index finger up, and twists it.
Finally, the Pope takes a chalice and bread from the folds of his robe. The Rabbi pulls out an apple. The Pope declares the debate is over, and that the Rabbi has won.
Back at the Vatican, the Catholics ask the Pope, “what happened?”
“Well,” the Pope answers, “First I told the Rabbi that God rules all the Heavens. But he responded by telling me Satan still rules the Earth. Then I told him the Trinity rules all, but he countered by reminding me that, in the end, there is still but one God. So I took out the Sacraments to remind him of our Savior’s sacrifice, but he countered even that by reminding me of original sin, as represented by his apple. So the Jews may remain!”
Over on the other side of town, the Jews want to know what happened. “Well,” the Chief Rabbi explained, “The Pope first waved his hands over his head, telling me ‘We Catholics own all of this, and you Jews must leave! So I pointed to the ground to tell him, ’We Jews are staying right here!’ Then he held up three fingers to tell me ‘You Jews have three days to get out of Rome!’ And of course I replied, we were here FIRST, and you can sit on THIS!”
“OK,” says his audience. “But then what?”
“I don’t know,” the Rabbi admitted. “He took out his lunch, so I took out mine.”