The Jews Keep Rome


About a century or two ago, the Pope decided that all the Jews had to
leave Rome.  Naturally there was a big uproar from the Jewish
community.  So the Pope made a deal.  He would have a religious debate
with a member of the Jewish community. If the Jew won, the Jews could
stay.  If the Pope won, the Jews would leave. 

The Jews realized that they had no choice.  So they picked a middle
aged man named Moishe to represent them.  Moishe asked for one addition
to the debate.  To make it more interesting, neither side would be
allowed to talk.  The Pope agreed. 

The day of the great debate came.  Moishe and the Pope sat opposite
each other for a full minute before the Pope raised his hand and
showed three fingers.  Moishe looked back at him and raised one finger.
The Pope waved his fingers in a circle around his head.  Moishe pointed
to the ground where he sat.  The Pope pulled out a wafer and a glass of
wine.  Moishe pulled out an apple.  The Pope stood up and said, "I give
up. This man is too good. The Jews can stay." 

An hour later, the cardinals were all around the Pope asking him 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 was still one God common to both our religions.  Then I  
waved my finger around me to show him that God was all around us.  He
responded by pointing to the ground and showing that God was also 
right here with us.  I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God
absolves us from our sins.  He pulled out an apple to remind me of
original sin.  He had an answer for everything.  What could I do?"

Meanwhile, the Jewish community had crowded around Moishe. "What
happened?" they asked. "Well," said Moishe, "First he said to me that
the Jews had three days to get out of here.  I told him that not one of
us was leaving.  Then he told me that this whole city would be cleared
of Jews.  I let him know that we were staying right here."

"Yes, yes,.. and then???" asked the crowd.

"I don't know," said Moishe,
"He took out his lunch, and I took out mine."