Returning Objects to their Rightful owners

“If you see another person’s animal, you shall not hide from it; you must return it to the owner. If the owner is not known to you, then you should bring the object into your house, where it shall remain until the owner inquires after it, and you will return it to him. So shall you do for his donkey, his garment, or any lost article that you may find…” (Deut. 22:1-3)

Traveling by bus this week to Jerusalem I met a charming older lady “Esti” and started a conversation Esti was accompanied by her two stunning granddaughters age 8 & 6.  The granddaughters started telling me they were on their way to meet the head bus manager for the buses. They explained that an hour ago their grandmother “Esti” forgot her pocketbook on the bus. Esti explained to the bus depot manager what happened. He quickly called the driver to stop and inspect the bus. The Driver – Yossi, said “Betach” –“Sure it’s here”. Yossi said he would be returning to the station within two hours and Esti can come and get the bag after a quick identification to what’s in the bag.

This heartwarming and happy tale coincides with this weeks Parsha Ki Teitzei theme of returning lost objects to their owners. This weeks Parsha – Torah portion Ki Teitzei is packed with over twenty themes.  The mitzvah- good deed to return lost objects is one that can be taught to young children and carried throughout life to help one another.

Jewish Torah law 613 commandments “mitzvoth” require one to find the rightful owner, not hide from finding the owner and actively seeking the owner through means of hanging signs, internet postings or even communal announcements.

When a person loses something, even a trivial item like a junk pair of sun glasses it causes some distress. Even more distressing is losing one’s wallet.  Jewish law doesn’t subscribe to finders keepers losers weepers, the Torah actually rewards with a Mitzvah for finding the owners to a lost item.

Related posts:

1. Torah Bible Portion :Parshat Ki Tavo(Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)