Bava Metzia 29: Keeping Found Items in Good Condition

After discussing whether and/or how one should be permitted to use the money coming from the sale of a found animal, the rabbis introduce a new Mishna.  It teaches us what to do with found objects:

• Bundled or rolled documents should be opened and read (or just aired out) by the finder once every three months to prevent mould.  Only one person can do this to protect the delicate paper (we learn in the Gemara that a found Torah scroll is opened every twelve months only if it is new; this helps to dry the ink.  Older Torah scrolls can be left unopened.

• Garments should be shaken out once every thirty days by the finder.  Found garments can not be used for decoration or prestige of the finder

• Silver or copper vessels can be used for their own sake to prevent tarnish and rush but not to the point where they erode.  Gold and glass vessels can be buried for safe keeping without fear of breakage or deterioration.  They should be kept there without notice until Elijah comes

• Sacks or baskets need not be taken home if carrying these items is not the finder's typical practice.  One is not required to carry a found item that is "beneath his dignity"

The Gemara walks us through the typical manner in which people use found items.  This is a particularly informative daf as we are offered the opportunity to learn more about this lost society.  Some of the more interesting points that we learn today include:

• people shook out their garments every month to air them out
• linen was the preferred fabric to wear close to one's skin
• lukewarm water was drunk from earthen ware cups
• water was boiled before it could be drunk from metal cups
• people would flavour their water