Returning Lost Objects: Difference between revisions

# There's an obligation to return the lost object of a Jew once one sees it within a distance of 266.67 [[amot]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 259:! Brings the negative commandment not to pick up a fellow Jew's lost object. Shulchan Aruch C"M 272:5 rules that there's a mitzvah of [[carrying]] and picking up a fellow's animal and its burden up to a distance of 266 and 2/3 [[amot]]. The Bach C"M 259 writes that since [[carrying]] a fellow's burden and picking up his lost object are learned from one another there's an obligation to pick up a lost object if one sees it up to an distance of 266.67 [[amot]]. </ref>

# Men and women alike are obligated in the mitzva of Hashavat Aveda.<ref> Sefer Hachinuch Mitzva 538 based on Gemara Kiddushin 34a, Halachos of Other People's Money pg. 138</ref>

# If one would attempt to return an item that was placed there intentionally, one could be hurting the owner rather than helping. If it is an item that has so simanim, then he won't be able to retrieve it, and even if it has simanim, it could be he wanted it there and now will have to chase you to get it back.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 260:9, Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 144</ref> Therefore, if an item seems to have fallen, it is obviously a lost item. On the other hand, it if seems to have been placed or hidden, it might not be considered lost.<ref>Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg. 144</ref> Therefore, this would depend on where it is found. see the following halachot:

# If the object was found in a safe protected place, it can be assumed that the item was placed there by its owner and so the object is not considered lost and should not be touched.<ref>Rama 260:10 based on Baba Metzia 25b, Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 145</ref> If one by accident picked it up, one should return it right away, but if one has left the area one may not return it but rather one must return the object. <Ref>Rama and S”A C”M 260:9-10, Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 145</ref> For example, if one found a key under a mat or a book on top of a public telephone booth, one shouldn’t pick up the object. <ref>Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 146</ref>

# If an item is found in a unsafe place, the item is considered a lost object, even if it was clearly placed their intentionally.<ref>Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 146 based on Rama 260:10</ref> For example, a book on a public bus station bench. <Ref>Halachos of Others People’s Money pg. 146</ref>

# If an item is found in a semi-safe place, if the item has a siman then the item is considered a lost object. An example is a sweater draped over a park railing in a remote area of the park. <Ref> Rama C”M 260:10, Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 147-8) </ref>

==Worth a Perutah==

# There is a mitzvah to return a lost object to someone who passed away by returning it to the inheritors of a deceased person. <ref>Avi Bezri Hashavat Aveidah p. 22 fnt. 7 says it is obvious that there's an obligation to return a lost object to the inheritors of the deceased if he was the owner of the lost object.</ref>

# If an object has no identifying feature, then it is assumed that the owner has given up hope of finding the object and therefore has forfeited ownership of it. Therefore, one may take and keep the object. <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 154) </ref>  

# The siman must be a unique feature and not a generic characteristic. <Ref>Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 160 note 79) </ref>  

# In a place where Talmidei Chachamim are present one must pick up even an item without Simanim and announce it like a regular lost object because a Talmid Chacham (who is known not to lie) is trusted to recognize his object without any Simanim unless the item is brand new in which case it’s treated like an item without simanim in a place without Talmidei Chachamim. <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 171-2)</ref>

# There’s no Mitzvah to return the object of a non-Jew and some say that there’s a prohibition. <Ref>S”A C”M 266:1 rules that there’s no mitzvah to return the lost object of a non-Jew and there’s even a  prohibition. The Bear HaGolah 266:2 writes that according to Rashi this prohibition would apply even to non-Jews nowadays but according to the Rambam then there’s no prohibition to non-Jews nowadays who believe in a Creator and are law abiding citizens. Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 153) holds that there’s no prohibition nowadays. However, Hashava Aviedah KeHalacha (2:1 pg 33) writes that nowadays there’s a prohibition like S”A. </ref> However, all agree that if one returns it with intention to make a [[Kiddish]] Hashem then it’s permissible and praiseworthy to return the object. <ref> S”A C”M 266:1 writes that if one has intent to make a [[Kiddish]] Hashem then it’s totally permissible and praiseworthy to return the lost object. Hashava Aviedah KeHalacha (2:2 pg 33) writes that it’s only permissible and praiseworthy if one is sure that returning it will result in [[Kiddish]] Hashem because the owner will praise Jews and not just the one who returned it (and if it’s a doubt one should refrain). see [http://www.torahmusings.com/2014/05/hashavat-aveida-a-kiddush-hashem/ Rabbi Aharon Ziegler] who quotes Rabbi Soloveitchik on the importance of returning a lost object to a non-Jew in fulfillment  of the precious mitzvah of kiddush Hashem. see also [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/865907/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-hashavas-aveida-to-a-nochri/ Ten Minute Halacha: Hashavas Aveida to a nochri] by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz </ref>

# Additionally, all agree that if a Chilul Hashem will result then there’s an obligation to return the object. <Ref>S”A C”M 266:1 </ref>

# It’s appropriate that the administration of a public establishment put up a sign or made an announcement that will let those who go there that if objects are left there until a certain date the establishment will do as they see fit with the objects. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A C”M 259,271 #28) </ref>

# For a respected or elderly individual, if it’s not befitting to pick up and return a lost object then one is exempt from the mitzvah and doesn’t have to pick up the object. <ref>S”A C”M 263:1 </ref>

## If the individual would not have picked his own item in such a situation, then one is exempt. <ref>S”A C”M 263:1 </ref>