Through how many methods can a Canaanite slave be acquired, and how many ways can he acquire his freedom?
A Canaanite slave can be acquired through five methods and achieves freedom through three: money paid by another, a bill of manumission, or injury to the tips of his limbs by his master.
Question 2
If a master knocks out his slave's tooth intentionally, what is the legal consequence?
A tooth is counted among the 24 limb tips. Intentional removal of a limb tip by the master obligates him to free the slave immediately.
Question 3
If a master-physician is asked by his slave to treat his eye, and accidentally blinds him, does the slave go free?
The Rambam rules that a physician-master who blinds his slave while treating him at the slave's request does not free the slave, since there was no intent to harm — it was an act of healing.
Question 4
Does the law of freeing a slave for injuring his limb tips apply only in Temple times?
The Rambam explicitly states that releasing a slave for limb injury applies in every era and place, unlike Hebrew servitude which requires the Jubilee to be in force.
Question 5
If a slave has an extra finger and his master cuts it off, does the slave go free?
The Rambam rules that even an extra finger counts as a limb tip. If the master intentionally cuts it off, the slave is released.