הלכה על משלי 2:20

Some porters [negligently (see Rashi and Maharsha)] broke a barrel of wine belonging to Rabbah bar bar Channah. He seized their garments [as a form of payment], so they complained to Rav. Rav told [Rabbah bar bar Channah], ‘Return their garments.’ [Rabbah] asked, ‘Is that the law?’ Rav replied, ‘Yes, [as the Pasuk (Mishlei 2:20) states,] “You shall walk in the way of good people.” [Rabbah] returned their garments. They further claimed [to Rav], ‘We are poor men, have worked all day, and are hungry. Are we to get nothing?’ Rav ordered [Rabbah], ‘Pay them.’ He asked, ‘Is that the law?’ Rav replied, ‘Yes, [as the Pasuk continues,] “And you shall keep the ways of the righteous.”

Some porters [negligently (see Rashi and Maharsha)] broke a barrel of wine belonging to Rabbah bar bar Channah. He seized their garments [as a form of payment], so they went and complained to Rav. Rav told [Rabbah bar bar Channah], “Return their garments.” [Rabbah] asked, “Is that the law?” Rav replied, “Yes, [as it says in Mishlei 2:20], ‘You shall walk in the way of good people.’” So [Rabbah] returned their garments. They further claimed [to Rav], “We are poor men, have worked all day, and are hungry. Are we to get nothing?” Rav ordered [Rabbah], “Go and pay them.” He asked, “Is that the law?” [Rav] responded, “Yes, [as the same verse continues], ‘And keep the path of the righteous.’”