1) One who finds a lost object which has a Siman is obligated to publicize that he found it so that the owner can learn of this information and reclaim his item. (Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 262:3)
The Poskim discuss various acceptable ways of achieving this "making public" of the finding of the object; all are methods commonly noticed by many people. (See Igros Moshe Choshen Mishpat Vol. 2 Siman 45)
2) Some of these methods include:
* Hanging a notice in a Shul in the area where the item was found. (ShulchanAruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 267:3. It isn't necessary to hang it in every Shul inthe area. See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 9:8. If it is evident that the item that was lost belongs to a female, the sign should also be placed in the Ezras Nashim. Also, if the item was found in a public place such as a wedding hall, shopping mall or on the beach there is no need to place notices in nearby Shuls, as that is probably pointless. See Hashovas Aveida K'Halacha page 46footnote 8)
* Hanging a notice in the place where the lost object was found, as that is akin to notifying the owner's neighbors that his item was located. (Ruling of HaRav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, based on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 267:3,quoted in Hashovas Aveida K'Halacha page 45 footnote 5)
* Placing an advertisement in a local newspaper. However, even though this is an acceptable method, one is not obligated to pay money to place such an ad, unless it is a valuable item and we can assume that the owner will be willing to reimburse the finder for the cost of the advertisement. (See Shu"t Chasam Sofer Choshen Mishpat Siman 122 , Igros Moshe Choshen Mishpat Vol. 2 Siman 45and Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos V'Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 464. See also Shulchan Aruch HaRav Hilchos Metzia U'Pikadon 33)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) When posting a notice about the lost item it should include general information as to what kind of object was found (e.g. jewelry, clothing etc.) (Shulchan AruchChoshen Mishpat Siman 267:4)
There is no need to worry about fraudsters taking advantage of this information, as the real owner will have to identify actual Simanim before being able to claim the item. (ibid.)
Of course, too much identifiable information should not be written in the notice ,as this can lead to unscrupulous people taking advantage of this information.
2) The notice should remain in place for a decent amount of time, enough that wecan reasonably assume that everyone in the area had a chance to see it. (See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos V'Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 464 where he says "a week" is adequate time. HaRav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal ruled that the longer it can remain there, the better.)
After this amount of time has passed, if the notice falls off or is removed, there is no obligation to replace it.
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:
Is there any significance to saying "Zecher Tzaddik L'vracha" or "Alav/Aleha HaShalom"?
Does it to anything to the Neshama? Are we obligated to say that?
ANSWER:
Yes, whenever a Tzadik's name is mentioned the words Zecher Tzadik L'Vracha" should be added, to bless his/her soul, and whenever a rasha's name is mentioned the words "Shem R'shaim Yirkav or Yemach shemo" should be mentioned.
This is based on a Posuk in Mishlei Perek 10:7. See Rashi there. See also Talmud Yoma 38b.
CHIZUK CORNER
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