Two Beggars in Rome

5-VI-2006

Two beggars are sitting near to each other on the main piazza in Rome. One has a cross in front of him. The other one the Star of David. Many people go by and look at both beggars, but only put money into the hat of the beggar sitting behind the cross. A priest comes by, stops and watches throngs of people giving money to the beggar behind the cross, but none give to the beggar behind the Star of David.

Finally, the priest goes over to the beggar behind the Star of David and

says: "My poor fellow, don't you understand? This is a Catholic country.

People aren't going to give you money if you sit there with a 'Star of David' in front of you, especially when you're sitting nearby to a beggar who has a cross. In fact, they probably give to the Christian just out of spite." The beggar behind the 'Star of David' listened to the priest, then turned and called over to the beggar with the cross and said:

"Moishe, look who's trying to teach the Goldstein brothers about marketing."