A Jew hid his chametz underground within his property before Pesach — what is the ruling?
The Rambam rules that a Jew's chametz in his domain violates both prohibitions even if hidden — derived from 'leaven shall not be found in your houses,' even if concealed.
Question 2
A coercive gentile deposited chametz with a Jew without explicit acceptance of responsibility, but the Jew knows the gentile will force him to pay if it is lost — what must he do?
A coercive gentile who will force payment creates effective responsibility — the Jew must destroy the chametz as if he accepted responsibility explicitly.
Question 3
A Jew pledged his chametz to a gentile and said 'acquire it from now' with a date before Pesach — what is the status after Pesach?
When the Jew said 'acquire from now' with a date before Pesach, the chametz entered the gentile's ownership and is permitted after Pesach. Without those words, it is a deposit and forbidden.
Question 4
A Jew on a ship sold chametz to a gentile on condition that it be returned after Pesach — what is the ruling?
A conditional sale is ineffective — until the condition is fulfilled the Jew remains the legal owner, violating both prohibitions.
Question 5
A tanner placed flour without hides in his trough two days before the deadline — what is the ruling?
Flour in a tanner's trough without hides — only if placed more than three days before the deadline has it certainly spoiled and may be kept. Within three days, it must be destroyed.