If a master frees two slaves with a single bill of release, what is the outcome?
A single bill of release covering two slaves does not free either of them. Each slave must have his own individual bill of release.
Question 2
What happens when a master writes a bill of release for 'half' his slave?
A bill of release freeing half a slave does not take effect. Freedom through a document must be complete — a partial bill has no legal effect.
Question 3
Why did the Sages compel a master to fully free a half-slave, half-free person?
A half-slave cannot marry a Canaanite maid-servant (she needs a full slave) or a free Israelite (forbidden while still half-slave). Unable to fulfill the Torah's command to procreate, the Sages compelled the master to free him fully.
Question 4
When a dying man transfers all his property to his slave via a deed, and then recovers, what happens?
The Rambam rules that such a deed is understood as conditional — only meant to take effect if the man dies. If he recovers, the transfer is void and the slave reverts to servitude.
Question 5
If a bill of release reads 'Your person and my property are acquired by you,' does the slave go free?
The Rambam rules that this formula requires careful evaluation — language that could mean either liberation or sale is examined by the court. The bill of release must clearly sever the bond of servitude.