Pisqa’ 22479H:234-235;JN2:133. 1. “Thus shall you treat his ass, as well as his garment, as well as any of your brother’s lost property, which he has lost” (Dt.22:3). If it was an ass [that he lost], it works [for the finder] and eats [at the finder’s expense].80Cf. M. BM. 2:7.
2. Now, a [fine] garment should be included within the category of lost property— so, why does the verse single it out for special mention? In order to draw out a comparison with other lost property! Just as a [fine] garment is distinctive, in that it bears unique markings and has claimants [who can identify them], so, too, we apply the category of lost property to any object that bears unique markings and has claimants [who can identify them]. Now, I might infer only that these objects alone— [i.e., livestock, garments, utensils]— are included within the rule. On what basis do I include other sorts of lost objects [such as gold and glassware]?82Such items are included in the list at M. BM. 2:8. The Teaching states: “As well as any of your brother’s lost property” (Dt.22:3).
“which he has lost” (Dt.22:3)— except for an object worth less than a perutah.83A copper coin, a “penny.” R. Judah says: “And which you have found” (Dt.22:3)— the rule includes an object worth even less than a perutah!
(דברים כב ג) וְכֵן תַּעֲשֶׂה לַחֲמוֹרוֹ, הָיְתָה חֲמוֹר – עוֹשָׂה וְאוֹכֶלֶת;
Pisqa’ 22479H:234-235;JN2:133.
1. “Thus shall you treat his ass, as well as his garment,
as well as any of your brother’s lost property, which he has lost” (Dt.22:3).
If it was an ass [that he lost],
it works [for the finder] and eats [at the finder’s expense].80Cf. M. BM. 2:7.
כְּסוּת – מְנַעֲרָהּ אַחַת לִשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, שׁוֹטְחָהּ לְצָרְכָהּ אֲבָל לֹא לִכְבוֹדוֹ;
A [simple] cloak—
the finder must shake it out once every thirty days.
And he may air it out for its own maintenance,
but not to enhance his wardrobe.
כְּלֵי כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת – מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶם לְצָרְכָּם, אֲבָל לֹא לְשָׁחֳקָם;
Silver or bronze pots—
the finder may use them for their own maintenance,
but not to wear them out.
כְּלֵי עֵץ – מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶם כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֵרָקְבוּ.
Wooden utensils—
the finder may use them to prevent dry-rot.81=M. BM.2:8.
אַף הַשִּׂמְלָה הָיְתָה בִּכְלַל כָּל אֵלּוּ, וְלָמָּה יָצָאת? לְהַקִּישׁ אֵלֶיהָ – מָה שִׂמְלָה מְיֻחֶדֶת, שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ סִימָנִים וְיֵשׁ לָהּ תוֹבְעִים – כָּךְ כָּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ סִימָנִים וְיֵשׁ לוֹ תוֹבְעִים. אֵין לִי אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ בִּלְבַד, שְׁאָר אֲבֵדָה מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לְכָל אֲבֵדַת אָחִיךָ.
2. Now, a [fine] garment should be included
within the category of lost property—
so, why does the verse single it out for special mention?
In order to draw out a comparison
with other lost property!
Just as a [fine] garment is distinctive,
in that it bears unique markings
and has claimants [who can identify them],
so, too, we apply the category of lost property
to any object
that bears unique markings
and has claimants [who can identify them].
Now, I might infer only that
these objects alone—
[i.e., livestock, garments, utensils]—
are included within the rule.
On what basis do I include
other sorts of lost objects
[such as gold and glassware]?82Such items are included in the list at M. BM. 2:8.
The Teaching states:
“As well as any of your brother’s lost property” (Dt.22:3).
אֲשֶׁר תֹּאבַד מִמֶּנּוּ – פְּרָט לְפָחוֹת מִשָּׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: וּמְצָאתָ[הּ] – לְרַבּוֹת פָּחוֹת מִשָּׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה!
“which he has lost” (Dt.22:3)—
except for an object worth less than a perutah.83A copper coin, a “penny.”
R. Judah says:
“And which you have found” (Dt.22:3)—
the rule includes an object worth even less than a perutah!
לֹא תוּכַל לְהִתְעַלֵּם – לִתֵּן עָלָיו בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה.
“You may not turn a blind eye” (Dt.22:3)—
this phrase treats the rule as a proscription.