Found a lost item in a place where his friend claims he lost it | Sheilot

Found a lost item in a place where his friend claims he lost it

Question

He found a sum of money on the floor in the yeshiva dormitory, and his friend claims that he lost the very same amount in that exact place. Is he required to return it to him?

Answer

Shalom u’vracha.

No, the money belongs to the one who found it.

Answered 1 February 2026 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Israel Cohen
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
About the Rabbi

Source

In Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 262:3 it is explained that in a typical case of an item falling, the place is not considered an identifying mark (siman).

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