Today's Rambam Sheet

Yamamai Limmudei Kodesh Bureau

22 Cheshvan 5766
Rambam Laws of lost objects, perek 14

1. Anything that is found, that is worth at least a peruta (approximatly 10 cents) must be announced. In the times of the Bais Hamikdash, there was a large stone in Yerushalaim on which the announcements would be made. Nowadays, that there is no Bais Hamikdash and there are lots of dishonest people, you just tell your neighbors and people that you know.

2. The finder announces, "Whoever lost __________ should come, identify it with marks and take it". If it is money, he says "whoever lost coins should come...". Similarly he announces "whoever lost garments...", "an animal", "a check" etc.

3. The Torah believes a person who gives distinctive marks (simanim). A good siman could be the item's measure, weight, number of things (ex. twelve oranges) or place where it was lost. A bad siman would be color or just says that it was big or small, and he does not get the item. If the guy is a known deceiver, he cannot get it even if he gives perfect simanim, instead, he needs to get witnesses to testify that the item is his. However, as time went on and to many people started lying, the Rabbis decreed that everyone needs to bring witnesses that the item is his.

4. If two people give the same description of the item, it is withheld until one of them gives in to the other or a compromise is made. If they give different descriptions: one has witnesses that it was made for him and the other person has witnesses that it fell from him, the falling person gets it; one person gives the length and width and the other says the weight, the weight person wins.

5. If no one claims the item, he must keep it and guard it, until Moshiach tells him who to give it to. He must care for it (such as airing it out to not get moldy). He may not use it for his personal use.

6. If the thing found is an animal which needs to be fed: If it can produce such as a cow or donkey it is rented for twelve months. Similarly with chickens, he sells the eggs and feeds the chicken for twelve months. Any extra money goes to the owner. After twelve months, they become partner and share any increase in value that the animal has. If it’s cost is greater than it’s produce, it should be sold after three days. Vegetables should be sold when they start to spoil.

7. Everything that gets sold is done so by a court that affirms the value of the item.

8. The finder has the right to use the money from the sale, since he took care of the object. However, since he has this right, he is responsible for anything that happens to the money, even if an earthquake swallows it into the ground. (But if he just finds money, he cannot use it, and since he cannot use it, he is also not responsible for any unusual thing that happens to it.)

9. The finder gets reimbursed for any expenses he had before the item was sold. The Rabbis did not require him to swear for it, since people don't like swearing, and if they would be required to swear, they would just ignore lost items. For the same reason, if someone returns an item and the owner claims that part of it is missing, we do not make the finder swear that this is the entire thing. This will apply even if is impossible not to find the entire thing.

Name ____________________
A) Write both a good and a bad siman for bag of firewood?
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B) If you find chickens, how would you pay for feeding them while you are watching them?
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C) Explain both the advantage and disadvantage of being allowed to use money you find.
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Happy Birthday Avi Wruble (in advance)

May you be a Good Jew