If ever there was mitzvah that seems absolutely logical, returning lost objects seems to exemplify that genre to perfection. And yet, a good fraction of Bava Metzia discusses its intricacies. In fact, though, one finds that most of the discussion is when the mitzvah to return lost objects does not, in fact, apply. That tactic is often used by Chazal when mapping the applicability of this or that mitzvah. By delineating the borders -- even if there is some small uncertainty (machlokes), we achieve clarity on what is definitely inside and what is definitely excluded.
Here are the primary exclusions to the obligation to even pick up a lost object.
First and foremost, you need to be sure it is a lost object you are retrieving. As obvious as that sounds, it has quite practical implications. First, an object that is lying in a protected area is not lost. It may have been sitting there for months or years, as evidenced by the thick layer of dust and confirmed by carbon dating. No mat…
Here are the primary exclusions to the obligation to even pick up a lost object.
First and foremost, you need to be sure it is a lost object you are retrieving. As obvious as that sounds, it has quite practical implications. First, an object that is lying in a protected area is not lost. It may have been sitting there for months or years, as evidenced by the thick layer of dust and confirmed by carbon dating. No mat…