Shaggy dog story No. 9: Moishe and The Pope

Moishe and the Pope: a shaggy dog story

In the Dark Ages, the Pope decreed that all Jews had to leave Rome. The Jews did not want to leave so the Pope challenged them to prove that they could remain. No one wanted the responsibility until Moishe, the synagogue janitor, volunteered.

Since no one else wanted to go Moishe was given the task. Moishe only spoke Hebrew and the Pope did not so it was agreed that there would be a silent debate. When the day of the debate came they went to St. Peter's Square.

The Pope waved his hand around his head. Moishe pointed firmly at the ground.

The Pope held up three fingers. Moishe held up his middle finger.

The crowd started to complain but the Pope thoughtfully waved them to be quiet. He took out a bottle of wine and a wafer and held them up. Moishe took out an apple and held it up.

To the peoples' surprise, the Pope announced, "I concede. This man is too good. The Jews can stay." 

Later that day, the Pope was asked what the debate had meant.

He explained, "First, I showed him the Heavens, to show that God is everywhere. He pointed at the ground to signify that God is right here with us."

He continued, "I showed him three fingers, for the Trinity. He reminded me that there is One God common to both our religions."

The Pope concluded, "I showed him wine and a wafer, for God's forgiveness. With an apple, he showed me original sin. The man was a master of silent debate."

Back at the synagogue, the leaders asked Moishe what happened. He said, "It was all nonsense, really. First, he told me that this whole town would be free of Jews. I told him where he could go and that we were staying right here."

Moishe continued, "Then, he told me we had three days to get out. I told him just what I thought of that proposal."

An older woman asked, "But what about the part at the end?"

"That?" said Moishe with a shrug, "Well, I saw him take out his lunch so I took out mine."

---o0o---