Q: I’m rushing to work and encounter a large aveidah that I cannot take with me. I would have to turn around and bring it back home slowly before going to work. Must I tend to it?

A: Although you are required to expend time and effort for hashavas aveidah without compensation, you are not required to suffer financial loss. Therefore, if returning the aveidah will cause you financial loss, or even loss of earnings, you are not obligated, although you should still make an effort. If you can easily fill in the missing time or the owner commits to compensate for the loss, you are obligated.

You can also stipulate with the owner or others nearby that you will tend to the aveidah if the owner will fully compensate you (C.M. and Sma 264:1, 265:1; Pischei Choshen, Aveidah 8:2-8).

Similarly, if tending to the aveidah will cause you to miss your bus or train, you are not obligated. However, you cannot claim that it will cause you to miss learning Torah — since the purpose of learning is to fulfill mitzvos (Hashavas Aveidah K’halachah 10:5, 7). The owner is also required to compensate you for expenses associated with tending to the aveidah (C.M. 267:26).