1) It is permissible to give a lost item to the police department's 'lost & found' bureau, provided that it is known that they watch over the lost items properly and that they return items to people only after ascertaining, via Simanim, that the item is truly theirs. (Ruling of Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal quoted in Hashovas Aveida K'Halacha page 46 footnote 11)
If it isn't clear that the 'lost & found' bureau follows the proper procedures, the lost item may not be given to them. However, the details of the object can be told to them and they in turn can direct anyone that comes to claim the item directly to the person who found it. (ibid.)
2) If one finds an item on a public bus or in a taxi cab, he may hand over the item to the 'lost & found' department of the bus or cab company, even if they don't properly watch over the lost items and even if they don't properly ascertain, via Simanim, that the person claiming the item is truly the owner.
The reason for this is that, unlike the aforementioned Halacha regarding a police station, all passengers riding public transportation do so with the understanding that if they lose something it will most likely end up in the 'lost & found' of that company.
Additionally, anyone who loses something in a public transportation vehicle, where one is expected to keep an extra eye on his items to prevent their being lost or stolen, is deemed to have not properly watched his item, and as such we are not obligated to care for an item in a more secure way than the owner himself cared for it. (Hashovas Aveida K'Halacha page 47 footnote 16)
However, the item may not just be placed near the bus driver with the hope that the owner will come back to look there; it has to be placed in the actual 'lost & found'. (ibid. based on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Siman 267:1that it must be placed in a secure place)
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:
A question I am curious about: on Friday night when singing 'Shalom Aleichem', why do we (not all people, but most people) say each line 3 times?
ANSWER:
The "Shalom Aleichem" was authored based on the Talmud (Shabbos 119b) that says that each person has 2 malachim (angels) escort him home from Shul each Friday night, one a good angel and one a bad angel.
When they enter the home they check for three things: 1) candles burning 2) the Shabbos table set and 3) the beds are nicely made up.
If the three things are found as they should be, the good angel blesses the home that it should be this way the following week as well, and the bad angel is forced to answer "Amen" to this Bracha. If the three things are not found, the bad malach curses the home, saying that it should be unready for shabbos the following week as well, and the good angel is forced to answer "Amen".
The "3" times we repeat each verse of the Shalom Aleichem are symbolic of the "3" things above that each Jewish home should have prepared in honor of the holy shabbos day. (Based on the writings of the Ya'avetz in his siddur)
CHIZUK CORNER
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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
Messages are sent down from shamayim to us each and every day, but we don't see them, because we are so busy.
If you want to see them, here are some great things to do.
1. Be calm-slow down, appreciate life.
2. Be thankful to Hashem throughout the day (no matter how small).
3. Be mispalel to Hashem to let you see it.
4. Smile.
5. Open your eyes to want to see it.
6. Say "I Love You Hashem' at least once a day.
7. Go through the day knowing Hashem is holding you.
Important Numbers
