A seller sells an item worth 60 dinarim for 50 dinarim minus a p'rutah. What is the legal result?
When the overcharge exceeds one sixth even by the smallest amount (here it slightly exceeds ⅙ of 60), the sale is voided. The deceived party may return the object and cancel the transaction.
Question 2
How long does a purchaser have to claim ona'ah?
The purchaser's window to claim ona'ah is the reasonable time needed to show the item to an expert or a relative. After that, delay is treated as waiver of the claim.
Question 3
Does the law of ona'ah apply to a knowledgeable merchant who is an expert in pricing?
Ona'ah applies equally to merchants and to ordinary people. Expertise in prices does not exempt a party from this protection — the prohibition is on taking unfair advantage, not on ignorance.
Question 4
An item worth 4 zuz is sold for 5 (the sale is void due to ona'ah). Before the claim is made, the item's value rises to 7 zuz. Who may retract?
The purchaser alone may retract. The seller created the void sale through fraud and should not benefit from the subsequent price increase. 'Should a sinner receive reward?'
Question 5
Which of the following transactions is EXEMPT from ona'ah entirely?
Land (real property) is exempt from ona'ah, as derived from 'from the hand of your colleague' — only hand-to-hand movable transfers are covered. A Torah scroll, pearls, and livestock are all subject to ona'ah as movable property.