Found Money

Rabbi Meir Orlian

Wed Mar 18 2026

Based on the writings of Rav Chaim Kohn, שליט''א

Based on the writings of Harav Chaim Kohn, shlita

Q

While taking a Shabbos walk, I encountered a $100 bill. Am I allowed to possess it?

There is an issue of muktzeh and — if no eruv

— an issue of carrying. Although Chazal provided certain leniencies regarding the prospective loss of one’s wallet, the leniencies are not applicable to money that is found, since it is not yours yet (O.C. 266:13).

Thus, you may not pick up the $100 bill, even if there is an eruv, because of muktzeh (Mishnah Berurah 266:38). However, according to many Acharonim, you can kick it aside with your foot to a secure place if there is an eruv (Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasah 22:36).

There is a dispute between the Acharonim as to whether you may tell a non-Jew to pick up the bill for you, despite its being muktzeh. However, while you may not tell him to carry it if there is no eruv, if he chooses to bring it to your house of his own accord, you do not have to stop him (Mishnah Ber-urah, ibid.).

Nonetheless, if you found a valuable item that is not muktzeh and there is an eruv, you may possess it and take it home. It is not considered a transac-tion, because there is no seller or giver. However, you should not raise it in a manner that blatantly indicates acquisition (Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilcha-sah 29:32[89]).

https://businesshalacha.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/business_weekly/item_946_en_BW_792.pdf

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49761664)

Shabbos goyim are how you pricks trick God

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762436)

but jews are allowed to stand there dumbly in an elevator until a goy pushes their floor

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762909)

any goy can be a shabbos goy.

generally, you cant ask a shabbos goy directly do so something. that's why the case says "if he chooses to bring it to your house of his own accord, you do not have to stop him."

you have to hint your shabbos goy "it'd be really nice to have that $100 bill after shabbos" or "no i dont want you to pick up that $100 bill for me, but you can bring it to my house for me to have after shabbos only if you really want to"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762935)

"hm, well, you could pick up that $100 bill and keep it for yourself, but too bad it's shabbos because otherwise i'd love to have that $100 myself to pay for pesach expenses. remember, you do want that loan approved, haha"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762966)

there is something in halacha about avoiding significant financial losses, but it's not clear how to apply this here... or whether a $5 or a $20 might be a valuable item.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762636)

in jewish law, you acquire something through an action asserting ownership. but you can't take formal ownership on shabbos. so it's giving a loophole so you can kinda take custody of the item without really taking formal ownership.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762644)

mukzeh means something that has no shabbos purpose. you're not allowed to touch mukzeh, which is an item that has no shabbos purpose.

a $100 bill is mukzeh since it has no shabbos purpose.

a diamond ring that's wearable might not be mukzeh since women wear jewelry on shabbos.

but if you found a raw 5ct diamond, it's mukzeh.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848647&forum_id=2ค1¤7PHPSESSID=188a95202f833e097d78c96d76bac3f6#49762730)