What is the standard oath required of an unpaid watchman when a deposit is stolen?
The oath covers three things: that he guarded properly, that he did not misappropriate the item before the event, and that the item is no longer in his possession.
Question 2
Where must money and gold coins be stored to satisfy the proper standard of care?
Coins must be buried in the earth (or in a wall near the ceiling). A locked box or hidden spot is insufficient — the Rambam rules such storage constitutes peshi'ah.
Question 3
A watchman placed the deposit in an inappropriate storage location. A fire then burned down the house. Is the watchman liable?
'Techilato b'pshi'ah' — when negligence exists at the outset, no force-majeure defense applies. The watchman is fully liable.
Question 4
May an unpaid watchman give the deposit to his adult wife without informing her it was entrusted?
The Rambam rules that when one deposits with a colleague, he implicitly entrusts it to the watchman's wife and adult household. No explicit declaration is required.
Question 5
An unpaid watchman cannot locate the deposit when the owner demands it. The watchman says 'wait, I'll find it.' Is he liable?
Failing to know where the deposit is — and asking the owner to wait — constitutes peshi'ah. The watchman must pay immediately.