Different reading of Rashb"i story

At the end of Rashb"i story of being in the cave (Shabbat 34:a), Rabbi Shimon causes the death of an elder that "misbehaved".

I always read it like this:

words in [] are added to the Gemara text

A certain elder said :"Ben Yoḥai purified the cemetery". [Therefore giving all the credit to Rabbi Shimon] [Rabbi Shimon got angry and said to him:] Had you not been with us, and even had you been with us and were not counted with us in rendering this ruling, what you say is fine, But now, that you were with us and were counted with us in rendering this ruling, you will cause people to say that Sages don't give credit to each other. They will say: If [competing] prostitutes still apply makeup to each other to help one another look beautiful, all the more so that Torah scholars [should credit each other]. He directed his eyes toward him and the Elder died

But it seems, that the interpreters explain the story like this:

A certain Elder said [in ridicule and surprise]: Ben Yoḥai purified the cemetery. [Rabbi Shimon got angry and said to him]: Had you not been with us, and even had you been with us and were not counted with us in rendering this ruling, what you say is fine. [You could have said that you were unaware of my intention or that you did not agree or participate in this decision]. Now that you were with us and were counted with us in rendering this ruling, [you will cause people to say that Sages are unwilling to cooperate with one another]. They will say: If [competing] prostitutes still apply makeup to each other to help one another look beautiful, all the more so that Torah scholars [should cooperate with each other]. He directed his eyes toward him and the Elder died

My understanding fits better to the words, but makes Rabbi Shimon more easy to become angry Is there an interpreter that support my way of reading?

posted over 4 years ago

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4y ago

Alaychem‭

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