Gaster's Exempla (1924), No. 225, tells a sad little case study in academic cruelty. Rabbi Dimi of Nehardea had arrived in Babylon with a cargo of figs to sell. It was custom that a visiting scholar would pay his respects to the Resh Galuta, the Exilarch, and be examined for his learning. The Exilarch was busy and did not bother.
Another senior rabbi, Rabba, heard of the oversight and sent Rabbi Ada bar Ahavah to examine Dimi informally. Ada bar Ahavah was a brilliant scholar. He asked his questions, listened to Dimi's answers, and came away convinced Dimi was not much of a scholar at all. He said so publicly.
The judgment was devastating. No one bought the figs. Dimi's reputation collapsed. His trade was ruined. He complained to Rabbi Joseph, who pronounced a curse — or perhaps merely recognized that one had already been earned — and not long afterward Rabbi Ada bar Ahavah died.
Different rabbis came forward claiming responsibility. "It was my teaching he contradicted." "It was my ruling he overstepped." Each sage ascribed the death of this great man to his own offended honor, regretfully and perhaps a little proudly.
The tale is a warning wrapped in a eulogy. A careless examination can ruin a merchant. A ruined merchant can curse the examiner. And a scholar's word, Rabbi Ada bar Ahavah proved, can cost him his own life before it costs anyone else theirs.