There once was a very prominent doctor who thought more of his fees than of his patients. The doctor was called in to treat the sick wife of a poor tailor. After examining the woman he turned to the husband and said, “This case will take a lot of my time and I can see that you won’t be able to pay me for my services.” “Please, doctor, save her life! ” begged the anxious husband. “I promise to pay you even though I’ll have to pawn everything I own to get the money”
“What if I don’t cure her—will you pay my fee just the same?” insisted the doctor.
“Whatever happens, whether you cure her or kill her, I promise to pay.” cried the husband.
The doctor began to treat the tailor’s wife but within a few days the woman died. Shortly after, the doctor demanded 1500 denarii as his fee. The grieving husband informed him that he was unable to pay and, as was the custom within the Jewish community, they brought the matter to the rabbi for settlement.
The sage understood right away what had happened.
“Tell me again,” he asked the physician, “what was your contract with this man?”
“I was to get paid for treating his wife regardless whether I cured or killed her.”
“Did you cure her?” asked the rabbi.
“No.”
“Did you kill her?”
“I certainly did not! “
“Then, since you have neither cured her nor killed her what right have you to the money?”
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
