Four Rabbis are sitting around in the temple having a moral argument. The passionate debate has been going on for days with three Rabbis trying to persuade the other that he's wrong. But the odd Rabbi out feels very passionately that he is right, so he soldiers on day after day to defend his firm conviction. Finally, the fourth Rabbi decides to appeal to a higher authority. He cried out:
"Oh God! I know in my heart that I am right about this. Please send some kind of a sign to help them see the truth."
When the fourth Rabbi had finished, dark clouds abruptly materialized in the previously clear skies and made a low rumble.
"A sign from God!" Shrieked the Rabbi. "See, I was right all along!"
But the other Rabbis still disagreed, pointing out that it's perfectly natural for storm clouds to show up quickly on a warm day.
So the fourth Rabbi pleaded with God once again:
"Oh God! I need a bigger sign. Please send a bigger sign so my obstinate friends can see the truth."
As soon as the fourth Rabbi had finished, the sky began to rumble again and twin lightning bolts blasted the olive tree right by the temple.
"Eureka!" Screamed the Rabbi. "I told you that I was right! Please open your eyes and see the truth!"
But again, the other three Rabbis demurred. Pointing out that everything that had happened had a perfectly natural and scientifically plausible explanation and none of it could be used as a validation of the fourth Rabbi's position.
The fourth Rabbi sighed. Took a deep breath. Looked toward the heavens with a pleading expression. And began to beg for one last irrefutable sign.
But before his prayer could begin, the sky turned pitch black, the earth began to shake, the river roared like a hurricane, and a single beam of perfect white light cloaked the fourth Rabbi in devine magnificence. An authoritative voice that seemed to emit from all directions at once bellowed:
"HE'S RIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!"
Then, in a matter of moments, the day returned to normal with sunshine and clear skies.
The fourth Rabbi crossed his arms and looked back as his friends with a contented expression.
"So!?" Shrugged one of the other Rabbis. "Now it's still three against two."