A sh'chiv me'ra apportions his estate verbally on Shabbat without witnesses and without a kinyan. Is the gift valid?
The Rambam explicitly states that we confirm a sh'chiv me'ra's declarations even on Shabbat. No kinyan or formal witnesses are required — his verbal words transfer property.
Question 2
When does a sh'chiv me'ra's gift actually take legal effect?
A sh'chiv me'ra's gift only takes effect after his death. Until then, creditors and the wife's ketubah obligations can still be satisfied from the estate.
Question 3
A sh'chiv me'ra gives all his property to various people, retaining nothing, and then fully recovers. What happens to the gifts?
When a dying person gives away everything and recovers, the gifts are revoked. He retained nothing — indicating he only intended to distribute his estate at death. Recovery cancels that intent.
Question 4
A sh'chiv me'ra gives away most of his estate but keeps one small parcel of land. He then recovers. What is the status of the gifts?
Retaining any portion of the estate changes the legal analysis. The gift is treated as a regular gift (like a healthy person's), which recovery does not revoke.
Question 5
A sh'chiv me'ra gives a gift to a fetus in his wife's womb. What is the ruling?
The Rambam rules that a sh'chiv me'ra may give a gift to a fetus. The fetus acquires it — the gift takes legal effect upon the child's birth.