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 met and picked an aged, but wise,
Rabbi Moishe to represent them in the debate. However,
Moishe spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish,
so they all agreed that it would be a "silent" debate.
On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat
opposite each other a full minute before the Pope raised
his hand. He showed 3 fingers.
Rabbi Moishe looked back. He raised 1 finger.
Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
Rabbi Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.
The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice
of wine.
Rabbi Moishe pulled out an apple.
With that, the Pope stood up and declared he was beaten.
Rabbi Moishe was too clever and 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 but 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. 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 were gathered around
Rabbi Moishe. "How did you win the debate?", they asked.
"I haven't a clue," said Moishe. "First, he tells 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'."
"Then, what happened?", asked a woman.
"Who knows?", said Moishe. "He took out his lunch, so
I took out mine."