Which of the following tools may NOT be sold to someone suspected of violating the Sabbatical year?
A plow is used exclusively for tilling the ground, which is forbidden in the Sabbatical year. A sickle and wagon have possible permitted uses (harvesting a small amount, transporting a small load), so they may be sold even to a suspect.
Question 2
Why may one sell a cow that plows to a person suspected of violating the Sabbatical year?
Since there is a possibility the buyer will slaughter the cow rather than use it to plow, we do not assume the transgression will occur. This follows the principle that where a permitted use is possible, we assume that intent.
Question 3
What may a woman lend to a neighbor suspected of violating Sabbatical year prohibitions?
The Mishnah permits lending these household tools for the sake of darchei shalom (paths of peace), but working alongside the suspect neighbor would constitute actively assisting in a transgression and is therefore forbidden.
Question 4
Why are priests considered suspect with regard to the Sabbatical year?
Rambam explains that priests rationalize: if they are permitted terumah which is forbidden to others under severe penalty, they reason they are certainly permitted to keep Sabbatical produce. This faulty logic makes them suspect.
Question 5
When a person is 'suspect' for selling produce of the Sabbatical year, what is true regarding their credibility on other matters?
Rambam rules that even a suspect person's word is accepted concerning others' property — we assume a person will not commit a prohibited act for the benefit of someone else. Suspicion is also category-specific: being suspect for Sabbatical violations does not make one automatically suspect for second-tithe violations.