So it seems that these four rabbis had a series of theological arguments, and three were always in accord against the fourth.

One day, the odd rabbi out, after 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 give me a sign to prove it to them!

It was a beautiful, sunny day. As soon as the rabbi finished his prayer, a storm cloud moved across the sky above the four. It rumbled once and dissolved.

A sign from God! See, Im right, I knew it! But the other three disagreed, pointing out that stormclouds form on hot days.

So the rabbi prayed 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 stormclouds appeared, rushed toward each other to form one big cloud, and a bolt of lightning slammed into a tree on a nearby hill.

I told you I was right! cried the rabbi, but friends insisted that nothing had happened that could not be explained by natural causes.

The rabbi is getting ready to ask for a *very big* sign, but just as he says Oh God… the sky turns pitch black, the earth shakes, and a deep, booming voice intones, HEEEEEEEES RIIIIIIIGHT!

The rabbi puts his hands on his hips, turns to the other three, and says, Well?

So, shrugged one of the other rabbis, now its 3 to 2!