The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-04
JEWISH LAUGHS
Bishop Couldn't Know 1t

Bishop Couldn't Know 1t
Long. long ago, in a far. far
land. there lived king who loved
the Jews. He had numerous
friends among that race. whom he
would consult on all important
matters.
Now the archbishop of that
kingdom hated the Jews even
more intensely than the king
loved them.
why are you SO fond of the
Jews?" once the prelate rebuked
the monarch.
Because they are so wise and
learned" replied his majesty.
You find much wiser and much
more learned men among your
own people," said the divine Bit
terly. and l am going to prove it
to you. I challenge the Jews Of
your kingdom to select one of
their number, with whom I shall
have a contest of knowledge and
ingenuity. a knowledge of the He
brew language included. He who
Is asked a question and cannot
answer 1t shall be buried alive i'm
mediately."
BY a royal order day was ap-
pointed for the great contest.
The Jews Of the empire were in
great despair. The good name Of
the Jewish people was at stake.
| Nobody was willing to challenge
the bishop. who was known as
great scholar, and stake his life.
A conference of rabbis was held
to discuss the grave situation.
While the conclave was in ses-
sion poor man, a cobbler by
trade, breezed into the synagogue
and informed the assembly that
he was willing to be the cham
pion of his people.
Worried and haggard as the
clerical assemblage was. they
grinned broadly. But perhaps a
miracle would happen. thought the
wise men OF Israel; perhaps that
ragged and apparently ignorant
fellow was the prophet Elijah in
disguise-who knows? So they
decided to intrust him with the
mission.
The day of the contest was a
national holiday. The capital city
was draped in flags. Soldiers with
drawn swords were parading the
streets. The public square was
crowded with myriads of men who
came from all parts of the empire
to witness the spectacle. In the
midst of the square was plat
form, and near it was dug a pit,
wherein to throw the first who
would be unable to answer
question.
When the royal party arrived
the bands struck up q few patri-
otto hymns. Then his majesty Or
dered to have the contest started.
The cobbler, being the inferior of
the two. was given the privilege
of putting the first question.
What Is the meaning of 'ayni
yodeia?" queried the Jewish cham
pion with all the confidence of a
scholar. ("Ayni yodeia" in Hebrew
means. II don't know.~
II don't know" replied the
bishop in a vigorous voice.
aha. you don't know" ex-
claimed the monarch, then to the
pit with you, Soldiers, go ahead!
After this great victory for the
Jews, the hero and savior OF his
people was carried triumphantly
| to the rabbits house, where a
great banquet was given IN his
honor.
How did you happen to think
of such a scheme?" marveled> his
co-religionists with tears of joy
in their eyes.
THAT was no scheme at all"
explained the defender OF Jewish
scholarship. You see, every sat
urday I read the 'teich chumosh
(Bible translated in the Jewish
vernacular). Every word Of the
Bible is translated in plain Yid-
dish. But when 1t comes to the
words 'ayni yodeia even the
.teich chumosh' is stuck. and 1t
simply says. 4 don't know Now.
If the holy 'teich chumosh' does
not know what 'ayni yodeia' Is.
do you suppose that the 'orel to-
may could know what 1t was?"
Was Not His Business
Peter the Great once inspected
battalion of soldiers. Anxious
TO test tHe lOyhlty " mo 'i"OFS'
he approached q big overgrown
muzhik in uniform and said. Lis
ten, 'zemliak II should tell you
to shoot me. would you obey?"
Yes. your majesty" returned
the sturdy trooper, II must do
whatever my superiors tell me-"
Putting the same question to
numerous other soldiers. the SOW
ereign invariably received the
same reply.
At last the czar approached a
Jewish soldier, and to his query
whether he would shoot him upon
request, the Israelite emphatically
declared that he would not. The
great ruler was deeply moved
There was at least one soldier
whose love for his king out
weighed his sense of duty.
Tell me, my child" said the
monarch emotionally to the faith
full soldier. why wouldn't your"
II am 'barabanstohick" "a
drummer), stated the loyal soldier
in a matter-of-fact tone, land I
am not supposed to do any shoot
Ing"