Rabbi Shimon was in the wilderness during a retreat.

A storm formed and he was forced to find shelter with an idle goatherd in a cave in the hills. The rain was relentless for three days--there was even snow--and now no dry wood could be found. The goatherd had brought a few of his flock into the cave for warmeth, and to slaughter a kid for food. But they could not cure the meet. At length Rabbi Shimon squatted down, and over a small pile of sodden tinder pronounced a few silent words. Flames curled up from beneath his hands. The gaotherd, smelling the smoke turned amazed and saw the Rabbi standing.

"Why did you not do this before?" He asked. "We've been trapped here nearly three days!"

Rabbi Shimon looked at him and replied: "Becasue it is a sin."

"But you saved my life! I would have died of hunger! Or else the poisoning of uncured meat! Surely this is not a sin!"

"And that is why I made the fire," replied the Rabbi. "But, do you not think a man who knows God well enough to harness his fire will know what is, and what is not, a sin? Now, I must go and atone. Cook your food. Eat. I will return. But do not let the fire go out--for it is Holy--it's flame should not die."

Rabbi Shimon went out into the cold, wet, blustery night to atone for his sin. The goatherd ate and drank from his sack of wine, and soon he was content, then sated, and he fell asleep by the fire and goats.

THe rabbi returned close to early morning to find the sleeper, the food eaten, and the wine drunk, and saw that the fire was out. He muttered to himself, an then went back into the weather to atone--for he had sinned again.