Drinking with the Sages

One time, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Tzadok were all relaxing at the wedding celebration of Rabban Gamliel's son, while Rabban Gamliel was standing over them and pouring them drinks. When he offered a cup to Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Eliezer refused to take it, but when he offered to Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Yehoshua accepted it.

Rabbi Eliezer said to him, "What is this Joshua? We are sitting, while Rabban Gamliel is standing over us and pouring us drinks, like he is our waiter! This is not befitting a person of his standing."

Rabbi Yehoshua replied, "The greatest of people serve others, Avraham was the greatest person of his generation, yet he stood over the angels to serve them when they visited him, even though he thought that they were just ordinary people. If it was okay for Avraham to serve others, then surely it is fine for Rabban Gamliel to serve us drinks."

Rabbi Tzadok said to them, "How long will you disregard the honor of God while occupying yourself with the honor of people. The Holy One, blessed be He, causes the winds to blow, the vapors to rise, the rain to fall, the earth to yield food, and sets a table before every person. And you're concerned that we're not giving Rabban Gamliel enough honor because we are letting him serve us?!"