THE POPE AND THE GRAND RABBI
An apocryphal tale reports that during the Middle Ages there was a time of discord in Jerusalem. At that time the Holy City was controlled by Christians who appealed to the Pope in Rome, to use his power to banish all Jews from Jerusalem. In answer the Pope decided to go to Jerusalem, to hold a kind of summit meeting with the Grand Rabbi, the highest Jewish authority. As with many confrontations between parties with different points of view, the meeting soon became a debate, which would decide the fate of the Jews. If the Pope won, the Jews would have to leave the city. If the Grand Rabbi won, the Jews could stay. They met in a cathedral in Jerusalem. The two great men were seated in large chairs facing each other — the Pope in his splendid robes, surrounded by cardinals and bishops; the Grand Rabbi robed and surrounded by advisors and councilors. Each side was…
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