Baba Metzia 2:6-7

Baba Metzia 2:6

One is required to announce a lost object until the local residents are made aware of it; this is the opinion of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says that one must do so for a period of three Festivals, plus seven days after the third of these, so that the person who lost it would have three days to get home (to see if he’s missing the found object), three days to return, and one day that the object is still being announced so that he can claim it.

Baba Metzia 2:7

If the person claiming the object says what it is but does not describe its individual markings, it is not given to him. If he seems suspicious, it is not given to him even if he described its markings, as per Deuteronomy 22:2, “until your brother asks about it” (Deut. 22:2), which is understood to mean that one should investigate his brother to see if he is on the level or not. Any found animal that works and eats shall work and eat. If a found animal doesn’t work but it does eat, it may be sold, based on the verse (ibid.), “you shall restore it to him.” We understand this to mean that we should consider the condition in which lost property may be restored to its owner. Rabbi Tarfon says that the money acquired by selling the animal may be used by the finder. Therefore, if it is lost, he is responsible to replace it (like a borrower). Rabbi Akiva says that the finder may not use the money, so if it is lost, he is not responsible to replace it (like a paid watchman).