Rav Shmuley Meets the Pope

והבוטח באפיפיור שקר יסובבנהו

Arutz Sheva:

Rabbi Shmuely Boteach met with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square and gave him a watch as a gift. This is what ensued.

Rabbi Boteach said that the Pope remarked: "It has two faces on it" and, the Rabbi continued, "this was the perfect introduction for me to share the issues I had prepared. I said, ‘Pope Benedict, it’s an honor to meet you. This watch has the times of Rome and Jerusalem on it, signifying the eternal friendship between our two faiths. I also hope that when you wear it the future of the Jewish people will always be on your mind, as Israel struggles with existential threats, like Iran, who threaten to wipe it off the map. Your voice against these threats is essential, Your holiness.’

He said ‘Yes,’ nodding his head in agreement.”

This is how I wish the meeting would have gone:

Rabbi Shmuely Boteach met with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square and gave him a watch as a gift. This is what ensued.

Rabbi Boteach said that the Pope remarked: "It has two faces on it" and, the Rabbi continued, "this was the perfect introduction for me to share the issues I had prepared. I said, ‘Pope Benedict, it’s an honor to meet you. This watch has two faces on it, signifying the two faces of Edom throughout history. Sometimes, they act as our brothers and sometimes they act as our enemies. However, even when they act as our brothers, we know it's just a face. Our forefather Jacob prayed to G-d to be saved from these two faces. I also hope that when you wear it you will know that the prophecies that talk about the destruction of Edom refer to you and the Vatican. Your only hope for survival is to truly help the Jewish people and Israel struggle with existential threats, like Iran, who threaten to wipe it off the map. Your voice against these threats is essential for your survival.’

He said ‘Yes,’ nodding his head in agreement.”