While on vacation in Rome , I noticed a marble column in St. Peter's Square with a golden telephone on it. As a young priest passed by, I asked what the telephone was for. The priest told me it was a direct line to heaven, and if I'd like to call, it would be a thousand dollars. I was amazed, but declined the offer.

Throughout Italy, I kept seeing the same golden telephones on marble columns. At each, I asked about it and the answer was always the same: It was a direct line to heaven and I could call for a thousand dollars.

Then - I continued my tour and arrived in Israel. I decided to attend temple services at a local synagogue. As I walked in the door I noticed the same golden telephone. Underneath it there was a sign stating "DIRECT LINE TO HEAVEN: 25 cents."

"Rabbi," I said, "I have just been all over Italy and in all the cathedrals I visited, I've seen telephones exactly like this one. But the price is always a thousand dollars. Why is it that this telephone is only 25 cents?"

The rabbi smiled and said, "You're in Israel now...It's a local call."