What is the difference between an ordinary guarantor (arev) and a kablan?
An ordinary arev is only liable after the borrower cannot pay. A kablan is treated as a co-borrower — the lender can demand full payment from him directly without first attempting to collect from the borrower.
Question 2
If a person says to a lender 'Lend him and I will guarantee,' when is this guarantee binding?
A guarantee made at the time of lending — 'Lend to him and I will be responsible' — is binding immediately without kinyan, because the guarantor's commitment enables the loan to happen.
Question 3
Can a lender collect the full debt from one of two joint guarantors?
When two people jointly guarantee a debt, each is liable for his proportional share. The lender must approach each guarantor for his portion and cannot demand everything from one.
Question 4
Is a guarantor for a woman's ketubah obligated to pay if she later seeks to collect?
A guarantee for a ketubah is not binding — at the time of the guarantee, the ketubah is not yet a collectible debt, so there is no existing obligation to guarantee.
Question 5
A person says 'Guarantee my friend's debts and I will pay you.' What is the legal status of this commitment?
When someone promises to pay another in exchange for guaranteeing a friend's debt, this creates a binding obligation — the person who agrees to guarantee did so in reliance on the promise of compensation.