Accidentally Took Money
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Question
I asked someone to give me a ride, and when I got out of the car, I saw a sum of money on the seat. I thought it was the money I had in my pocket. After some time, I noticed that the money in my pocket was still there, meaning the money in the car was not mine. Now I want to know what to do with this money.
Answer
Hello
This is considered as mistaken appropriation.
You should try to find the owner of the money and return it.
If there is no way to return it to him, you should use the money for public needs, such as charitable organizations that help many.
Before Yom Kippur, an instruction was published from our teacher, the Gaon, Rabbi Avraham Fried, shlita, who recommended depositing the money in a loan fund where it will be kept for the victim.
In the meantime, his money will earn him merit in the mitzvah of lending, and when Elijah comes and tells to whom it belongs, the money will be ready for the owner to take.