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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: We understand that you are asking only out of halachic "curiosity," which allows us to answer you. Nevertheless, since you have not relayed potentially impactful details that are likely difficult to determine, our answer is quite general. We will take a quick look at a few scenarios and halachic concepts.
Aveida mida’at: The gemara, in a few places excludes from the mitzva of hashavat aveida (returning lost objects) an object that is an aveida mida’at (when the object is in a precarious situation and its owner does not act to protect it). The Tur (Choshen Mishpat 261) says that in such a case, the object is presumed to be hefker, whereas the Rambam (Gezeila 11:11) says that while hashavat aveida does not apply, the owner still owns it, so that it is forbidden for others to take it. The Shulchan Aruch (CM 261:4) rules like the Rambam, and the Rama (ad loc.) cites the Tur. The fact that some gemarot imply one way and others the other way (see Bava Batra 87b and Bava Matzia 21a) provides impetus for poskim to make distinctions. Thus, each side in the machloket can agree with the other side in exceptional cases (see Encyclopedia Talmudit, s.v. aveida mida’at).
One of the gemara’s cases of aveida mida’at (Bava Metzia 31a) is similar to our case. Reuven’s cow was grazing in a (non-Jewish) vineyard, and the vineyard owner warned Reuven that if this persisted, he would kill the cow. The gemara says that if Reuven ignored the warning, it is aveida mida’at, and it is likely that the machloket of the Rambam and Tur applies here (see Even Ha’ezel Gezeila 11:11). Most explain that whether it is hefker depends on the assumptions about the object owner’s mindset (see Beit Yosef, CM 261), which would make it dependent on the specific case. In our case, too, contractors ignore the warning of having their materials confiscated, raising the question of what they are thinking when they leave them there.
Several poskim recommend putting up signs in batei midrash to tell people they will relinquish their rights to sefarim left for a long time (see Living the Halachic Process III, I-12). However, this will not work here, if the noncompliant contractors are not agreeable to management’s dictates. Therefore, unless we can assume the contractors do not care about the remaining materials, aveida mida’at will probably not make them available to be claimed.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
659 - Ask the Rabbi: Electric Lights as Neirot Shabbat
660 - Ask the Rabbi: Giving Away Offensively Left Materials
661 - Ask the Rabbi: Collecting Money for a Specific Medical Cause
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However, this is an insufficient precedent regarding your question. Shimon’s ownership can be overlooked only to the extent needed to move the objects, not to give away the offending objects. The contractors’ objectionability is also not as severe as the one in the gemara’s case. If management is forbidden to confiscate, it also distinguishes our case from that of Bava Metzia 31a, where it is aveida mida’at because the non-Jew’s threat will not be tempered by Halacha.
Therefore, without casting final judgment, one would be hard-pressed to allow people to claim the materials if the owners want to keep them.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
