עבודה זרה מט

Just as Christian rulers did in the Middle Ages, an Arab ruler ordered that a debate be held between a Muslim and a Jew as to which is the older religion.  The Muslim representative appeared in his finest clothes.  The Jew appeared in his everyday clothes and as he entered the palace removed his shoes and placed them under his arm.  “What is the meaning of this?” The incensed ruler asked.  “No disrespect is intended,” the Jew said.  “This is how we are commanded to appear before the King of Kings, removing our shoes when appearing before Him.” Calmed down, the ruler asked: “But why did you place your shoes under your arm?”  The Jew responded: “I did it because the last time this happened was when we went to Mount Sinai to receive the תורה.  We took off our shoes in honor of השם and in honor of the תורה.  And when we returned, our shoes were missing. They were stolen by the Muslims.”  “Liar!” the Muslim screamed.  “There weren’t any Muslims when the Jews received the תורה.”  With a grin, the Jew said: “Your Excellency, you have heard it yourself, the Muslim representative has admitted that Judaism is the older religion.”

06/10/2021