Еврейское счастье
Feb. 5th, 2010 01:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
black_maryaИз моей давней заначки, чтобы не Улицкой единой...
Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy . As was to be expected, there was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal: He would have a religious debate with a representative chosen by the Jewish community. If the rabbi representing the Jewish community won the debate, the Jews could stay in Italy and would not have to convert to Catholicism. However, if the Pope won the debate, the Jews would either have to leave Italy or convert to Catholicism.
The men of the Jewish community met and selected an aged, but wise leader, Rabbi Moshe, to represent them in the debate.
However, as Moshe spoke no Italian and the Pope spoke neither Hebrew or Yiddish, it was agreed by both sides that the debate would be silent.
So, on the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moshe sat opposite each other across a table. First, the Pope looked at Rabbi Moshe, raised his hand, and displayed three fingers; Rabbi Moshe responded by raising one finger. The Pope then waved a finger around his head and Rabbi Moshe pointed to the ground where he sat. Finally, the Pope placed a communion wafer and a chalice of wine on the table; Rabbi Moshe put down an apple.
At that point, the Pope stood up, bowed to Rabbi Moshe, and told his advisors that he had been bested in the debate and the Jews could stay in Italy and would not have to convert to Catholicism.
Later that afternoon some Cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
"First," the Pope answered, "I held up three fingers, representing the Trinity. Rabbi Moshe responded by holding up one finger to remind me that there is still only one God, and He's common to both our beliefs. Then," the Pope continued, "I waved a finger around my head to indicate that God was all around us, and the Rabbi responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here, with us. And, finally," concluded the Pope, "I placed the Communion elements on the table to show that God absolves us of all our sins. However, the Rabbi put an apple on the table to remind me of the original sin. He had beaten me at every move; I could not continue."
At the same time as the Pope was meeting with his Cardinals, the leaders of the Jewish community were gathered around Rabbi Moshe.
"How did you win the debate?" the Rabbi was asked.
"I haven't a clue," responded Rabbi Moshe. "First the Pope indicated to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. He responded that all of Italy would be cleared of Jews, and I indicated that we're staying right here."
"And then what?" asked an old man.
"Who knows?" answered Rabbi Moshe. "The Pope 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 . As was to be expected, there was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal: He would have a religious debate with a representative chosen by the Jewish community. If the rabbi representing the Jewish community won the debate, the Jews could stay in Italy and would not have to convert to Catholicism. However, if the Pope won the debate, the Jews would either have to leave Italy or convert to Catholicism.
The men of the Jewish community met and selected an aged, but wise leader, Rabbi Moshe, to represent them in the debate.
However, as Moshe spoke no Italian and the Pope spoke neither Hebrew or Yiddish, it was agreed by both sides that the debate would be silent.
So, on the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moshe sat opposite each other across a table. First, the Pope looked at Rabbi Moshe, raised his hand, and displayed three fingers; Rabbi Moshe responded by raising one finger. The Pope then waved a finger around his head and Rabbi Moshe pointed to the ground where he sat. Finally, the Pope placed a communion wafer and a chalice of wine on the table; Rabbi Moshe put down an apple.
At that point, the Pope stood up, bowed to Rabbi Moshe, and told his advisors that he had been bested in the debate and the Jews could stay in Italy and would not have to convert to Catholicism.
Later that afternoon some Cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
"First," the Pope answered, "I held up three fingers, representing the Trinity. Rabbi Moshe responded by holding up one finger to remind me that there is still only one God, and He's common to both our beliefs. Then," the Pope continued, "I waved a finger around my head to indicate that God was all around us, and the Rabbi responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here, with us. And, finally," concluded the Pope, "I placed the Communion elements on the table to show that God absolves us of all our sins. However, the Rabbi put an apple on the table to remind me of the original sin. He had beaten me at every move; I could not continue."
At the same time as the Pope was meeting with his Cardinals, the leaders of the Jewish community were gathered around Rabbi Moshe.
"How did you win the debate?" the Rabbi was asked.
"I haven't a clue," responded Rabbi Moshe. "First the Pope indicated to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. He responded that all of Italy would be cleared of Jews, and I indicated that we're staying right here."
"And then what?" asked an old man.
"Who knows?" answered Rabbi Moshe. "The Pope took out his lunch so I took out mine."
