1) A Jew who eats non-Kosher [or does other sins] as an act of rebellion against Hashem (Mumar L'Hachis), does not believe in Hashem or desecrates the Shabbos publicly is akin to a non-Jew and we are not obligated to return his lost items. (Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 266:2)
However, one who eats non-Kosher [or transgresses other grave sins] due to craving and being unable to control his desires (Mumar L'Te'avon), although he is a Rasha, he is still considered a Jew and we must return his lost items to him. (ibid.)
2) One who finds a lost object in an area where most of the passersby are non-observant Jews, if the object is not valuable there is no obligation to pick it up and search for the owner, even if the object has a Siman.
If the object is valuable, according to some Poskim all the Halachos of Hashovas Aveida apply, while some Poskim are lenient and do not necessitate picking it up and trying to find the owner. (Ruling of HaRav Nisim Karelitz Shlita and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, their reasoning being that the owner most likely had Yi'ush being that most non-observant Jews are not scrupulous to return lost items. However, Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal ruled that if the lost item was money indeed they aren't scrupulous to return it, but if it's another valuable item many indeed do drop it off at a local police station, and thus we can't assume that the owner had Yi'ush immediately, unless in an area where most of the people are rebellious sinners (Mumarim L'Hachis) as then we can assume they won't hand over to the police either. Quoted in Hashovas Aveida K'Halacha page 36 footnote 17)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
QUESTION:
Does a person have to to teshuva for a sin that was done unintentionally (B'Shogeg)?
ANSWER:
Yes. In fact, the Korbanos Chatos, the sacrafices that were brought in the Bais HaMikdash were ONLY for sins that were done unintentially.
Sins that were purposely committed need a much more stringent Teshuva.
The main thing is to regret that it happened, ask forgiveness from the person you sinned against, accept to be careful not to do the sin again, and say Viduy for the sin.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Question:
What reveals a person's real values?
Answer:
That which excites a man, serves as a test by which his worth is recognized. When after a banquet one man is enthusiastic over the words of Torah which had been spoken, another praises the songs, and the third lauds the food.
Important Numbers
