Responsa for Bava Metzia 163:9
אלא משכנו שלא בשעת הלואתו כולי עלמא אית להו דרבי יצחק והכא במשכנו בשעת הלואתו ובשומר אבידה קא מיפלגי דאיתמר שומר אבידה רבה אמר כשומר חנם רב יוסף אמר כשומר שכר
if he has no title thereto, whence is his<i> 'righteousness'</i>?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' There is no particular righteousness in returning what does not belong to one. ');"><sup>9</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. It is the law that the responsibility of a creditor toward a pledge he received as security for a loan is that of a paid bailee. Does this responsibility also extend to the amount by which the pledge exceeds the loan?
A. Since Ri ruled that the opinion of Rabba prevails, that the responsibility of a keeper of a lost object is that of a gratuitous bailee (B. M. 82a), the responsibility of the creditor toward the excess value of the pledge is also that of a gratuitous bailee. Although some authorities are of the opposite opinion, the very fact that a difference of opinion exists creates a doubt as to the law; and in case of doubt we do not render a verdict to collect.
SOURCES: Am II, 161; Mord. Sheb. 774; Tesh. Maim. to Mishpatim, 56; Agudah Sheb. 36; cf. Pr. 185; ibid. 699b.
A. Since Ri ruled that the opinion of Rabba prevails, that the responsibility of a keeper of a lost object is that of a gratuitous bailee (B. M. 82a), the responsibility of the creditor toward the excess value of the pledge is also that of a gratuitous bailee. Although some authorities are of the opposite opinion, the very fact that a difference of opinion exists creates a doubt as to the law; and in case of doubt we do not render a verdict to collect.
SOURCES: Am II, 161; Mord. Sheb. 774; Tesh. Maim. to Mishpatim, 56; Agudah Sheb. 36; cf. Pr. 185; ibid. 699b.
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