Post by Tex on Aug 18, 2009 7:24:38 GMT -6
The Power of Interpretation
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 beliefs. Then, I waved my finger around my head 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 then 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' the rabbi said. '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 and I told him 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.'
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 beliefs. Then, I waved my finger around my head 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 then 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' the rabbi said. '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 and I told him 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.'