Midrash for Bava Metzia 55:18
אמר ליה אביי והא כתיב (נחמיה ז, עב) וישבו הכהנים והלוים וגו' (עזרא ב, ע) והמשוררים והשוערים וכל ישראל בעריהם
<b><i>GEMARA</i></b>. A Tanna taught: The neighbours of the loss [are referred to in the Mishnah]. What is the meaning of 'the neighbours of the loss?' Shall we say, the neighbours of the loser? But if they know him [who lost it], let them go and return it to him! — But [it means] the neighbours of the vicinity wherein the lost article was found.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And R. Meir's reason is that it is probably theirs. ');"><sup>16</sup></span>
Sifrei Devarim
"until your brother inquires concerning it": Would it enter your mind to give it to him without his giving identifying signs? Why, then, is it written "until your brother inquires concerning it"? (The meaning must be, then,) "until you make inquiry concerning your brother" (to ascertain) whether or not he is a deceiver, (this being a possible construction of the words in the Hebrew.)
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy