Keeping a Lost Item for a Long Time
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Question
I found something on the street a long time ago that had a phone number, name, and address on it. I tried many times to reach them by phone, but the number is invalid. I tried to see if anyone knows them, checked the phone book, tried every possible way to find them, but I couldn't. My question is, what should I do with the lost item? Can I use what I found, or do I need to keep it until the coming of the Messiah?
Answer
Hello,
If it is an item that can be purchased in the market, you are allowed to use the lost item [after you have tried to return it according to the law], and note for yourself that when Elijah comes and tells whose it is, you will pay him its value.
However, if it is an item that cannot be obtained, it should not be used, and it must be kept until the owner is found or until the item deteriorates.
It should be emphasized that all this applies to an item where it is unlikely that the owner has not despaired and abandoned it when it was lost. But if it is a very cheap item or an item that is impossible to find, the owner despairs, and it is permissible to use it.