A sh'chiv me'ra says 'I owe Ploni a maneh.' After his death, the orphans say they paid it. Are they believed?
When the dying man used the language 'I owe,' the debt is treated as an established obligation. The orphans' claim to have paid it is not believed without clear evidence, because they may be trying to avoid repayment.
Question 2
A sh'chiv me'ra says 'Give Ploni a maneh.' The orphans claim they gave it. Are they believed?
When the dying man said 'give,' the heirs had explicit authority and mandate to pay. Their claim to have followed through is more credible, and they are believed.
Question 3
Witnesses see a father hide money in a chest. He later says, upon discovery: 'That money belongs to my son.' Is he believed?
When the father only claims ownership on behalf of another after the money is discovered, the claim is suspicious — it may be a device to favor one heir. If he had made the statement while hiding it, he would be believed.
Question 4
A dying man orders: 'Give 200 to Reuven, 300 to Shimon, 400 to Levi.' The estate has only 450. How is it divided?
When all payments are listed together without sequential language, the estate is divided proportionally. No single recipient takes priority over the others.
Question 5
A dying man gives a maneh to a trustee to deliver to Shimon after the man's death. The trustee cannot find Shimon. What should the trustee do?
If the trustee cannot locate the intended recipient, the money returns to the heirs. The mandate was specific — to give to Shimon — and cannot be redirected without authorization.