The Wealthy Man Who Rushed Off to Fix His Ways
A rich landowner asks Rabbi Elazar bar Tzadok about Shemittah olives used as wages, then rushes away mid-conversation to stop it, deeply impressing the sage.
A wealthy man approached Rebbe Elazar Bar Tzadok and told him that he owns villages, vineyards, and olive orchards. During Shvi’is (Shemittah) the villagers till the soil in the vineyards and take olives as payment. He asked Rebbe Elazar if this was proper since the villagers are taking the fruits of Shvi’is as payment for their services. (The fruits of Shvi’is are supposed to be ownerless and free for anyone to take.) Rebbe Elazar answered that it was improper. The wealthy man departed, whereupon Rebbe Elazar commented: “I have lived here for 40 years, and I have never seen an individual follow the proper path like this man.” Later, the wealthy man returned and asked for specific guidance to establish a proper procedure for the future.