EXOD865 It is a negative commandment for a judge to accept no bribe as Scripture says, And you shall take no bribe [this verse] – – even to render a true judgment. He is duty-bound to return it. And even a bribe of words [flattery] is forbidden. Whoever gives it violates the prohibition, nor shall you put a stumbling-block before the blind (Ya-Yikra 19:14). As for payment for being idled, since it is evident that he is interrupted from his work while he is occupied with a judgment, it is permissible for him to take [a fee] from both litigants equally.