“Finders keepers losers weepers.”
Most people know this idiom as a children’s rhyme. It is, however, quite old. The earliest written use of this expression dates to 200 BCE by the Roman playwright Plautus, and it trickles down in various forms through English literature until it’s specifically referenced as an “auld Scotch Proverb” by D.M. Moir in 1824.
It’s not a very Jewish concept.
There is a mitzvah of hashavat aveidah, returning lost objects. There is a whole Talmudic Tractate on the subject, Bava Metzia. It can be really simple: Finding something with someone’s name and contact information. It can be very complicated: Finding a Rolex in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
At the core of the mitzvah is the concern we should have for others’ wellbeing – physical, emotional, and even spiritual.
Let’s go to the sources.
“If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. If your fellow does not live near you or you do not know who the owner is, you shall bring it to your home, and it shall remain with you until your peer claims it; then you shall give it back. You shall do the same with that person’s donkey; you shall do the same with that person’s garment; and so too shall you do with anything that your fellow loses, and you find: you must not remain indifferent. If you see your fellow’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it; you must raise it together.” (Devarim 22:1-4)
On a simple and practical level, we must be on the lookout to return lost objects. The Torah expects us to keep our eyes open - “do not ignore it” - for the opportunity to help someone who has lost something - “gone astray” - or whose animal needs assistance - “fallen on the road.” We cannot ignore this responsibility even if it requires effort on our part - “bring it to your home” and “give it back.” Shirking our responsibility is not an option – “you must not remain indifferent.”
The Or HaChaim and the Chafetz Chaim both note that the mitzvah of returning lost objects extends to a deeper and more spiritual responsibility. We need to be on the lookout for other people’s religious wellbeing. They read the verses as describing someone who has “lost” their commitment to religion or observance or gone astray. They may be wandering around or their faith has fallen by the wayside. We must help give it back to them and raise them up. Sometimes, we have to bring them into our homes to restore their religious commitment. We cannot remain indifferent.
Some call this kind of activity “kiruv” or outreach. There is some truth to these terms. We won’t get anything done without engaging with others, getting closer to people, or reaching out. At the same time, this term is a misnomer. The Lubavitcher Rebbe (among others) disliked the term “kiruv rechokim – bring near those who are far” to describe engaging, educating, and trying to inspire Jews with less education or observance. What gives us the right to say we personify what is “near” and define them as being so “far?!?”
These days, returning lost objects in the Biblical sense has come along way from donkeys and oxen. Without a clear, identifying symbol, it’s a lot harder to perform the mitzvah of hashavat aveidah. These verses, though, maintain an enduring message to keep our eyes open for what our fellow might be missing.
I am particularly struck by the expressions the Torah uses, “If your fellow does not live near you” and “you shall bring it home.” While the text is requiring the finder to bring the lost object home, I cannot but help see this verse as teaching us the potential of influencing people at home – inviting them to our homes or visiting them in theirs. Nothing beats the power of a visit or, especially, a Shabbat or holiday meal together. As we enter the High Holiday season, we’ll have plenty of meals, Sukkah Hops, Kiddushes, and other gatherings at which to share the beauty of Judaism with family, friends, and not-yet friends.
Each of us has an obligation to be on the lookout for all who have lost something – be it an object, the gift of a good Jewish education, or a strong sense of religion. We need to pick them up, bring them near, take them home, restore them, and raise them up. We cannot remain indifferent.
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