Rambam Laws of Slaves: Chapter 1

Question 1

There are two cases of eved ivri

Answer 1

1. Sold by Beit Din
2. Sells himself

Avadim 1:1

Question 2

Being sold by beit din is ONLY in the case of …

Answer 2

Geneivah

Avadim 1:1

Question 3

Being sold by beit din is referred to in the following two passages

Answer 3

1. Ki tikneh eved ivri (Mishpatim)
2. Ki yimacher lecha achicha ha’ivri (Re’eh)

Avadim 1:1

Question 4

Selling oneself is referred to in which passage?

Answer 4

Ki yamuch achicha imach ve’nimkar lecha (Behar)

Avadim 1:1

Question 5

Can anyone sell themseles as a slave?

Answer 5

A person is not permitted to sell himself unless he has no property remaining at all - i.e., even his clothing no longer remains. Only in such a situation may he sell himself.

Avadim 1:1

Question 6

Can a woman sell herself or be sold by beit din?

Answer 6

No

Avadim 1:2

Question 7

Can a woman buy an eved ivri?

Answer 7

No

Avadim 1:2

Question 8

Can beit din sell eved ivri to akum?

Answer 8

No

Avadim 1:3

Question 9

Can one sell themeslves to an akum?

Answer 9

No, but if they did it is considered a sale

Avadim 1:3

Question 10

Can an eved ivri be sold in public?

Answer 10

No.
אֵינוֹ נִמְכָּר אֶלָּא בְּצִנְעָה וְדֶרֶךְ כָּבוֹד:

Avadim 1:5

Question 11

How is avodat perech - which is forbidden - defined?

Answer 11

1. Work that has no limit
2. Work that is not needed

Avadim 1:6

Question 12

What is avodat eved - that is forbidden for an eved ivri?

Answer 12

For example taking his clothes to the bathhouse, or taking off his shoes

Avadim 1:7

Question 13

כָּל הַקּוֹנֶה עֶבֶד עִבְרִי כְּקוֹנֶה אָדוֹן לְעַצְמוֹ
Gives some examples of this

Answer 13

Should be equal between master and slave re.:
* Food
* Drink
* Clothes
* Living quarters

Avadim 1:9

Question 14

Does eved ivri apply nowadays?

Answer 14

No, it’s only when we have yovel

Avadim 1:10