If, as the post-conciliar popes are fond of saying, “The Jews are our elder brothers,” does not that make the Islamists our younger brothers?
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, as Moishe spoke no Italian and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they all agreed that it would be a “silent” debate.
On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat opposite each other for a ful! l minute before the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.
Rabbi Moishe looked back and raised one finger.
Next the Pope waved his finger around his head.
Rabbi Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.
The Pope then brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
Rabbi Moishe pulled out an apple.
With that, the Pope stood up and declared that he was beaten, that Rabbi Moishe was too clever and that the Jews could stay.
Later, the Cardinals 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 only 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 s! how 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 said to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I said to him, Up yours! Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I said to him, we’re staying right here.”
“And then what,” asked a woman.
“Who knows?” said Moishe, “He took out his lunch so I took out mine.
The pope of what?
Who is Jesus Christ..
I guess they want to corrupt the Jewish faith is all I could think of. No was a good answer now and a good answer tomorrow.
Ebb Tide Not liking a Pope since 1960.
Kudos to the Rabbi for nipping this rude and invasive effort by the Pope to subvert Judaism in the bud.
If the Catholic church really is no longer trying to proselytize the Jews, then why does the Pope find it so important for Jews to debate him about the faiths and find a way for them to come together? Or did the Pope just say that in order to trick the Jewish community into seeing the Jewish faith through the prism of Catholicism?
The world would be a better place if gentiles did not try to force the Jews into theological discussions that they had no interest in pursuing.
I'm surprised that a Roman rabbi would do this, though. They've been engaged in an ecumenical dance with the popes for decades. I certainly hope this line in the sand they're drawing is with ecumenism.
Now if the Pope wants to mix and blend, there are millions of non-Orthodox "Judaisms" out there that would be happy to join him.