I don’t know when it started, but like you, when I was a child I learned to say, “Finders keepers, losers weepers.” It is such a juvenile phrase and it probably guided us in what we thought was our first moral act when we were very young. Maybe we said it when we found another child’s skate key and claimed it as our own, or a few coins and pocketed them in our jeans, or maybe we found something larger and hauled it off to keep. Whatever it was we all did it when we were young. Even recently I’ve heard children and teenagers say it. Now they find everything from a few dollars to iPods and digital cameras. Apparently left behind, never to be claimed, they recite the old adage and snatch up lost items like they just found sunken treasure. It’s a terrible saying. It’s not a Jewish lesson.
In this week’s Torah portion, we read one of my favorite verses. In Deuteronomy 22:1-3, we find, “If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow…You shall do the same with his garment, and so too shall you do with anything that your fellow loses and you find.” Finally, at the end of verse 3, we read, “You must not remain indifferent.”
The beginning of our verse outlines the structure of the law. It makes it clear that when we find something that doesn’t belong to us we must return it to its owner. Furthermore, if we can’t find its rightful owner then we must keep it with us until the owner turns up. And, if he doesn’t turn up, then we still have an obligation to store it and save it for when he does. Now, the Talmud goes into greater discussion when it elaborates on how this rule is applied in a variety of circumstances. The conclusion is nearly the same in every case. Generally, the obligation rests on the finder to examine the circumstances and the opportunity to restore an owner and the lost property.
However, the real bottom line is found in what we read at the end of verse 3, “You must not remain indifferent.” The Hebrew words also lead us to this translation, “You must not hide yourself.” Indifference is a result of what happens when we hide ourselves from truth. We deny more than the claim of a rightful owner and his lost property. We also deny what is also true about us. It’s so easy to be negligent. It’s even easier to turn our back and look the other way. I know that in each of us is the ability to be more than we ever thought. And, if you don’t agree, then I suggest that you join forces with someone else or a group to participate in the tasks that need to get done. You’ll discover that you have something special to add to the resources that are needed. The Hebrew Bible sometimes speaks in ideal terms, and yet we live in real times. While we have to apply the teaching to participate in life’s messier details we don’t have to do it alone. It’s all the more reason to value the role of Beth Israel in your life and the life of the community. We bring together human strength and resources so that none of us has to choose between hiding ourselves and making a difference. There is little we can do alone. There is much more that we can do together. And, when we do, we find what we need for us and for others. It’s a win-win. When Rabbi Hillel taught, “What is hateful to you do not do to others; that is the whole Torah, the rest is commentary, go and learn it!” he could have been alluding to Deuteronomy 22:3. Don’t hide yourself. Be at your best when you join with others to make a difference.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
DAL
__________________________________________________
Contact Rabbi Lyon