4 rabbis had a series of theological arguments, and 3
were always in accord against the fourth. One day, the odd
rabbi out, with the usual "3 to 1, majority rules" statement
that signified that he had lost again, decided to appeal to a
higher authority. "Oh, God!" he cried. "I know in my heart
that I am right and they are wrong! Please show me a sign, so
they too will know that I understand Your laws."
It was a beautiful, sunny day. As soon as the rabbi finished his
plaint, a storm cloud moved across the sky above the four. It
rumbled once and dissolved. "A sign from God! See, I'm right,
I knew it!" But the other three disagreed, pointing out that
storm clouds form on hot days.
So he asked again: "Oh, God, I need a bigger sign to show that I
am right and they are wrong. So please, God, a bigger sign."
This time four storm appeared, rushed toward each other to
form one big cloud, and a bolt of lightning knocked down a tree
ten feet away from the rabbis. The cloud dispersed at once. "I
told you I was right!" insisted the loner, but the others insisted
that nothing had happened that could not be explained by natural
causes.
The insisting rabbi is all ready to ask for a *very big* sign when
just as he says "Oh God..." the sky turns pitch black, the earth
shakes, and a deep, booming voice intones, "HEEEEEEEE'S RIIIIIIIGHT!"
The sky returns to normal. The one rabbi puts his hands on his hips
and says, "Well?" "So," replied another, "now it's 3 to 2!"
