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Returning Lost Objects: Difference between revisions
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==Where was it found?== | ==Where was it found?== | ||
# 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> | |||
# If the object is found in a place where it is irretrievable, such as if someone fell into the ocean, it’s assumed that the owner forfeited ownership and it is 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 is found in a place where it is irretrievable, such as if someone fell into the ocean, it’s assumed that the owner forfeited ownership and it is permissible to take and keep it. <ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 154-5) </ref> | ||
==Worth a Prutah== | ==Worth a Prutah== | ||
# There isn't a mitzvah to return an object worth less than a Perutah. For the purpose of this halacha, in America, one can consider the perutah to be a quarter (the lowest denomination coin that’s useable in buying something). <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 150) </ref> | # There isn't a mitzvah to return an object worth less than a Perutah. For the purpose of this halacha, in America, one can consider the perutah to be a quarter (the lowest denomination coin that’s useable in buying something). <Ref> Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 150) </ref> | ||
==Forfeiture== | ==Forfeiture== | ||
# If the owner says explicitly that he doesn’t expect to find it, that’s considered a forfeiture of the object and it’s permissible to take and keep. <Ref>Shulchan Aruch C”M 262:5, Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 152) </ref> Similarly if it’s evident that the object has been lost for a long time (which depends on the time, place, and object) such as if one sees moss or rust on the object, then it’s permissible to take and keep the object. <Ref>S”A C”M 260:1, Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 153) </ref> | # If the owner says explicitly that he doesn’t expect to find it, that’s considered a forfeiture of the object and it’s permissible to take and keep. <Ref>Shulchan Aruch C”M 262:5, Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 152) </ref> Similarly if it’s evident that the object has been lost for a long time (which depends on the time, place, and object) such as if one sees moss or rust on the object, then it’s permissible to take and keep the object. <Ref>S”A C”M 260:1, Mamon Yisrael (Halachos of Others People’s Money by Rav Pinchas Bodner, pg 153) </ref> | ||
