According to Halacha 1, when does a widow lose her right to receive subsistence from her husband's estate?
Halacha 1 states that 'from the time she demands payment for her ketubah in court, she is no longer entitled to receive her subsistence.' Selling or pledging the entire ketubah has the same effect.
Question 2
Which household task is a widow specifically EXEMPT from performing for her deceased husband's heirs?
Halacha 7 exempts the widow from pouring drinks, making beds, and washing the heirs' face, hands, and feet — because these are acts of endearment appropriate only between a wife and her husband.
Question 3
How does the court sell property to provide for a widow's ongoing subsistence (Halacha 21)?
Halacha 21 rules that enough property is sold to cover six months at a time, and the purchaser gives the widow an allotment every thirty days, so support stops cleanly if she remarries or collects her ketubah.
Question 4
According to Halacha 26, after how long is a poor widow assumed to have waived her claim to back-support?
Halacha 26 states that if a poor widow waits two years before suing for support, she is presumed to have waived her claim for those years. A wealthy widow must wait three years before the same presumption applies.
Question 5
What is the Rambam's ruling regarding a widow who requires ongoing medical treatment of an undefined nature (Halacha 5)?
Halacha 5 rules that medical treatment of an undefined nature 'is considered as support for her subsistence, and the heirs must provide her with it.' Only a limited, defined course of treatment is deducted from the ketubah.