Replacement on Guard Duty in the Army
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Question
Aharon, a soldier at the post, offered that whoever replaces him will receive fifty shekels. David, his friend, agreed and went to the post intending to replace him. When David arrived at the post, he saw Itay, the guard he was supposed to replace. Itay told him that he would stay at the post anyway and there was no need to replace him. After a few hours, David came to ask for the fifty shekels. Aharon refused to pay him because, in the end, he did not stand guard. David, on his part, said that he already went to the post, put on a vest, and expressed readiness to stand guard, and therefore, even though he did not actually stand guard, he deserves payment for the duty. Who is right?
Answer
Hello,
David began his task by organizing himself and coming to stand guard.
However, since he did not perform the work, Aharon is not obligated to pay him the full price, but should pay him as a "idle worker," which is the rate for the lightest work.