A Yiddish Socialist Parable Straight From Old Country

chairman bob shem tov was instructing several young comrades on the history of their people.

"rabbi," asked a junior comrade, "why do we quarrel amongst ourselves, and shout 'bourgeois philistine!' at those who disagree with us over questions of theory?"

"that is in memory of the first international," said bob shem tov, "when marxist fought anarchist and anarchist fought marxist. lo, though some might call it folly, history works in mysterious ways! for from the crucible came a scientific theory of social relations."

"rabbi," asked another junior comrade, "why do we sell each other out to the police?"

"that is in memory of the second international," said bob shem tov, "where we set aside our commonalities for stand with flag and fatherland. lo, though some might call it folly, history works in mysterious ways! for out of the crucible came the october revolution."

"rabbi," asked a third junior comrade, "why do we blindly do and accept whatever you say?"

"that is in memory of the third international," said bob shem tov, "where national parties submitted themselves to the discipline of moscow. lo, though some might call it folly, history works in mysterious ways! for out of the crucible came victory over fascism, liberation from the colonial yoke, development, and the greatest trembling the masters of the world have known."

"rabbi," asked a candidate member, "why must I spend my days in the sale of papers?"

I don't get it... is the joke that he doesn't care about the third question's answer?