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The Pope & the Rabbi 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 three fingers.

Rabbi Moishe looked back. He raised one 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 Cardinal 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 was 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."