The Torah teaches that when we come across a lost object, we are not meant to ignore it. Instead, we are obligated to try to reunite it with its rightful owner—a mitzvah known as hashavat aveidah, returning lost property. In fact, deliberately turning a blind eye to a lost object can violate multiple Torah prohibitions.1

But not every found item must be returned, and the laws can quickly become complex. What counts as a “lost” object? What if the owner already gave up hope of recovering it? What if the item has no identifying signs? And what responsibilities do you take on once you pick it up?

Let’s explore some of the basic laws and practical applications of this important mitzvah.

What Is the Basic Obligation?

If you find a lost object belonging to a fellow Jew, you are obligated to return it to its owner. You may not ignore it and walk away; doing so violates a negative commandment.2

This mitzvah applies equally to men and women.3

What Objects Am I Obligated to Return?

You are only obligated to return a lost object if it is worth at least a perutah. If it is worth less, you may either leave it where it is or keep it.4 In practice, a perutah is a very small amount, just a bit more than a nickel; contemporary rabbis however, attribute it the value of a quarter (25 cents), for purposes of returning a lost object, since that is the lowest commonly usable coin.5

An object may also be kept if the owner has already given up hope of recovering it (yeiush), in which case it becomes ownerless. This can happen in several ways.

If the owner explicitly states that he or she has given up hope, the item may be kept—even if it has identifying signs—as long as it was found after the yeiush occurred; if it was taken beforehand, keeping it is considered theft even if the owner later gives up hope.6

Similarly, if it is clear that the item has been lost for a long time, such as when it is rusted or covered in moss, it may be kept even if it has identifying signs.7

When an item has no identifying signs, the owner typically assumes it will not be recovered and automatically gives up hope.8 This assumption does not apply in places where Torah scholars are present, however, since they often make an effort to return lost objects even without formal identifying signs.9

Does It Matter Where the Object is Located?

An item that appears to have been dropped is generally considered a lost object and should be returned when possible. However, if it seems to have been placed or hidden intentionally, its status depends on where it was found.

If an object is found in a safe and protected place, it is assumed that the owner intentionally left it there, and it should not be touched. For example, if someone finds a bag tucked behind a couch in a waiting room or a jacket hanging inside a private office, it should be left where it is. If you picked it up by accident and are still nearby, you should return it immediately.10

If an object is found in an unsafe place, it is considered lost even if it was clearly placed there intentionally. Therefore, if it has identifying features it should be publicized, and if there are no identifying features, one may keep it. For example, a shopping bag left on a subway platform.11

If an item is found in a semi-safe place, then its status depends on whether it has identifying signs. If it does, it is considered a lost object and should be treated as such. Picture a water bottle decorated with stickers left on a fence near a hiking trail or a labeled sweater hanging on a coat rack in a public hallway.12

The reason for these distinctions is that picking up an intentionally placed item may actually inconvenience the owner. If the object has no identifying signs, the owner may never be able to retrieve it, and even if it does have signs, the owner may now need to search for the finder in order to get it back.

If an item falls in a place where it cannot typically be recovered, such as the ocean, it becomes ownerless and may be kept by whoever finds it. This is true even if the owner does not give up ownership. Nevertheless, the proper thing to do is to return it if possible.13

Whose Objects Need to Be Returned?

The formal biblical obligation of hashavat aveidah (returning a lost object) is rooted in the context of Jewish ownership. Nevertheless, the Sages strongly encouraged returning lost items to anyone, regardless of background—recognizing it as a praiseworthy act that reflects the Torah’s values. If failing to return an item would bring disrespect to G‑d's name and cast Judaism in a negative light (chillul Hashem), it becomes obligatory.14

When an item is found in a predominantly non-Jewish area, halachic presumption affects the formal legal obligation, though, as mentioned, in practice one still returns it.15

In all cases, if an item appears to have been intentionally left rather than accidentally lost, it should not be taken.16

What Do I Do After I Find the Item?

After finding a lost object, you should publicize it to help reunite the owner with his or her belongings. But publicizing it needs to be done carefully. Only the fact that a certain object has been found should be announced. Its exact specifications should not be disclosed so that dishonest individuals will not be able to falsely claim the item as their own.17

The person coming to claim the lost object is obligated to identify the distinguishing features of the object in order to prove that they are the rightful owner.18

What Should I Do With the Object Until the Owner Is Found?

When you are obligated to return a lost item, the Torah tasks you with the responsibility of safeguarding it until it can be returned to its owner. This includes taking reasonable care to preserve its condition and value—for example, not letting a laptop battery fully drain, or leaving a leather bag in the rain or in direct sun in a way that could damage it.19 If you are unable to properly care for the item, you may entrust it to a trustworthy person.20

Once you pick up the item, you must properly guard it; you cannot simply place it back where you found it and leave it for the owner to discover.21 In terms of liability, if the object is lost due to negligence while in your care, you are responsible. If it is lost or stolen despite reasonable care, however, you are exempt.22

You may not use the item for personal benefit.23

What Do I Do if I Can’t Find the Owner?

If a long time has passed since you publicized your find and no one has come forward to claim the object, you are permitted to use the object, provided that you evaluate how much it is worth and write down all identifying features. That way, if anyone ever comes forward, you will be able to return it.24

What Are Considered Identifying Signs (simanim)?

Examples include an unusual size or shape, an item lost in an uncommon location, distinctive packaging, an uncommon quantity, or a unique weight.25 However, if many people commonly use the same packaging, leave items in the same place, or own the same quantity, these are not considered valid signs.

Money, whether bills or coins, is generally not considered identifiable according to halachah, even if a name is written on it or the serial number is known, since the money may have already been given to someone else who later lost it.26

How Much Effort Must I Exert to Return the Lost Object to its Owner?

In general, you are only obligated to inform the owner that you have found his or her lost object.27 You are not required to spend any of your own money to return the lost object unless you know for sure that you will be paid back.28

You should, however, hang up signs in places that many people in the neighborhood frequent, like schools and synagogues, to let people know about the found object. However, as mentioned, you are not obligated to spend any money on advertisements or covering shipping costs to return it.

Furthermore, if finding the owner will require you to take time off from work (i.e. you will not be making the money you normally would have at that time), then that too is considered an expense that—although laudatory—you are not obligated to undertake.29

Can I Ask for Compensation?

While you may not charge for returning a lost object to its owner, even if returning it takes time and effort, if the owner offers a reward as a token of appreciation, the finder may accept it.30

What If the Owner Passes Away?

There is also a mitzvah to return a lost object belonging to someone who has passed away by returning it to the deceased person’s heirs.31

What If I Found an Object on Shabbat?

One may not violate another halachah in order to fulfill the mitzvah of hashavat aveidah. Accordingly, one may not violate Shabbat in order to return a lost object, including moving an item that is muktzah. Likewise, a Kohen may not enter a cemetery in order to retrieve a lost object.32