I found two Musar seforim – brand new a few days ago near a tree in a non-Jewish neighborhood, how long do I have to advertise it in publications and may I use it in the interim, until the person that lost it comes forward
Thank you
Shimshon
Answer
If it appears that the seforim have been left there long enough for the owner to notice that they were missing before you picked them up, you may keep them, since we assume the owner would be meya’esh (seeing as they were lost in a non-Jewish neighborhood). In that case you may use them yourself. Nonetheless, it is worthwhile advertising the find, and if someone comes forward and identifies the seforim with simanim, there is a mitzvah lifnim mishuras hadin to return them.
