Reuven and Shimon exchange a cow for a donkey. Reuven pulls the cow. Who acquired what?
In a barter exchange, meshichah by one party on his item acquires both items simultaneously. Reuven pulling the cow also transfers ownership of the donkey to Shimon, wherever the donkey is.
Question 2
Which item CANNOT be used as the utensil in kinyan chalifin?
Coins cannot be used for kinyan chalifin — they are money, and using money would convert the kinyan into a purchase. Only non-monetary utensils belonging to the buyer may serve as the kinyan object.
Question 3
A kinyan chalifin is performed in the presence of witnesses. May the seller retract while still discussing the terms?
Kinyan chalifin is unique in that both parties may retract as long as they are still actively discussing the matter — even in the presence of witnesses. This distinguishes it from all other forms of kinyan.
Question 4
A contract is written stating: 'We performed a kinyan confirming that X and Y will form a business partnership.' Is this legally binding?
Kinyan devarim — a kinyan on an intangible future commitment — is legally void. Only specific, identifiable property can be transferred; promises to act in the future cannot be bound by kinyan.
Question 5
Shimon owes Reuven 50 zuz from a prior sale. Reuven tells Shimon: 'Sell me your wine for that 50 zuz.' Shimon agrees. Did Reuven acquire the wine?
When an existing sale-debt is used to pay for a new purchase, this is an unusual circumstance and the Rabbis did not require meshichah. Reuven acquires the wine wherever it is, without further act.