A lender takes a borrower's object as collateral. What level of watchman is the lender?
A lender holding collateral is a paid watchman. He benefits from the loan arrangement (interest, or the security itself), which creates paid-watchman status. If the collateral is stolen, he is liable; for major unavoidable losses, he takes an oath and is exempt.
Question 2
A craftsman says 'your item is ready, come pick it up.' The owner doesn't pick it up for a week and the item is stolen. What is the craftsman's status?
Once the craftsman announces completion and offers the item for pickup, he becomes an unpaid watchman. He is no longer holding it for the benefit of his business. If instead he said 'bring payment and collect,' he remains a paid watchman.
Question 3
A dyer ruined wool by dyeing it black instead of red. The ruined wool is worth more than the raw wool was. Who pays what?
The owner is entitled to the improved item. If improvement exceeds dyeing costs, the owner pays only the cost. Since the item is worth more than the original wool, the owner retains it and pays the dyer's fee. Neither party can force a raw-materials exchange.
Question 4
An expert slaughterer renders an animal non-kosher while working for free. Is he liable?
An expert working for free is exempt. The Torah's liability framework tracks benefit — a paid expert is liable; a free expert is not, because he offered his expertise as a gift. A non-expert working for free, however, is liable because he had no business offering professional services without competence.
Question 5
A city teacher neglects his students and they fall behind. Can the community dismiss him?
Community professionals (teachers, scribes, slaughterers, bloodletters) who cause irreversible harm through negligence may be dismissed without prior warning. Their appointment by the community already serves as their standing warning to perform faithfully.