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 or convert.

    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, it was agreed that it would be a "silent"
    debate.

   On the chosen day, the Pope and Rabbi Moishe sat opposite each other
for a full 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 in Italy.

     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 around my head to show him that God was all
    around us.  He responded by po inting 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 pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.

       He had me beaten at my every move and I could not continue."

       Meanwhile the Jewish community 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 gave him the finger!

     Then he tells me t hat 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"