The Staff and Suitcase are Ready

It is said that when Rav Shmelke of Nikolsberg zy”a served as Rov of the city of Nikolsberg, his walking stick and suitcase were always hanging on the wall in the his bais din. When the leaders of the community asked him why he had these two objects hanging on the wall, he answered, “In my courtroom, there is no favoritism. I treat everyone equally and rule according to halacha. If any of the community leaders don’t like my ruling in a case they are involved with and want to fire me, I am prepared to get up and leave my position at any time. My stick and suitcase are always ready and I can pick up and leave the city immediately if I need to.”