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Returning Lost Objects: Difference between revisions
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# When a person encounters a lost object and doesn’t pick it up in order to return it, one violates the negative command not to overlook the object, and some say that one also looses the positive command to pick up and return the object. If one picks up the object in order to steal it one also violates three commands altogether, overlooking the object, not picking it up, and stealing it. <Ref> The Taz 259:1 holds that if one doesn’t pick up a lost object one has lost both the positive and negative commandment of Hashavat Aveidah and Lo Titalem. However, the Sma 259:1 holds that there’s only a violation of Lo Titalem for overlooking a lost object. S”A 259:1 writes clearly if one picks up the object to steal it, there’s a violation of both the positive and negative command as well as Lo Tigzol. </ref> | # When a person encounters a lost object and doesn’t pick it up in order to return it, one violates the negative command not to overlook the object, and some say that one also looses the positive command to pick up and return the object. If one picks up the object in order to steal it one also violates three commands altogether, overlooking the object, not picking it up, and stealing it. <Ref> The Taz 259:1 holds that if one doesn’t pick up a lost object one has lost both the positive and negative commandment of Hashavat Aveidah and Lo Titalem. However, the Sma 259:1 holds that there’s only a violation of Lo Titalem for overlooking a lost object. S”A 259:1 writes clearly if one picks up the object to steal it, there’s a violation of both the positive and negative command as well as Lo Tigzol. </ref> | ||
# The Mitzvah to return someone’s object includes a command to prevent someone’s loss. <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 142) based on S”A 259:9</ref> | # The Mitzvah to return someone’s object includes a command to prevent someone’s loss. <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 142) based on S”A 259:9</ref> | ||
# There's an obligation to return the lost object of a Jew once one sees it within a distance of 266.67 amot. <ref> S"A 259:! Brings the negative commandment not to pick up a fellow Jew's lost object. S"A 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> | |||
==Where was it found?== | ==Where was it found?== | ||
# If the object if found in a place where it’s irretrievable, such as if something feel into he ocean, it’s assumed that the owner forfeited ownership and it’s permissible to take and keep it. <ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 154-5) </ref> | # If the object if found in a place where it’s irretrievable, such as if something feel into he ocean, it’s assumed that the owner forfeited ownership and it’s permissible to take and keep it. <ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 154-5) </ref> | ||
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# 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> | # 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> | ||
==In an institution== | ==In an institution== | ||
# It’s appropriate that the administration of a public establishment put up a sign or make an announcement that will let those who go there that if objects are left there | # It’s appropriate that the administration of a public establishment put up a sign or make 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> | ||
==If it’s not befitting to return a lost object== | ==If it’s not befitting to return a lost object== | ||
