Watching the Coals

It is told that Rav Yehuda, the head of the bais din in the capital, once walked past a stand where a merchant sold coals. The man called out to him, "Rabbi, I am hungry. May I ask you to stay and watch my merchandise while I run home to eat?" The Rav agreed willingly, and the merchant left.

Soon afterwards Rav Yaakov Ibn Tzur passed by and was astonished to see the revered Av Bais Din sitting in the marketplace beside a stand of coals. He asked what was happening, and Rav Yehuda explained. "But what about the honor of the Torah?" asked Rav Yaakov.

Rav Yehuda smiled. "I always wondered about the words of Rebbi, Rav Yehuda HaNasi, who said that he was ready to do anything a person asked of him. Now I understand. Even if he were asked to watch over sacks of coals, he would agree. And if Rebbi would agree, then certainly I must."