MMM Day 29: Handling Lost Property

March Mitzvot Madness Day 29

Another aspect of loving your neighbor is dealt with in this mitzvot on how to compassionately handle lost property.  Isn’t it just like a good Father for Adonai to include the secret things that He knows people do…like pretend we don’t see something.  He is instructing us to behave with integrity — doing what is right even when no one is watching.  Well, our heavenly Father is always watching…

You are not to watch your brother’s ox or sheep straying and behave as if you hadn’t seen it; you must bring them back to your brother.  If your brother is not close by, or you don’t know who the owner is, you are to bring it home to your house; and it will remain with you until your brother asks for it; then you are to give it back to him.  You are to do the same with his donkey, his coat or anything else of your brother’s that he loses. If you find something he lost, you must not ignore it.  If you see your brother’s donkey or ox collapsed on the road, you may not behave as if you hadn’t seen it; you must help him get them up on their feet again. ~~ Deuteronomy 22: 1-4