신명기 22:2의 주석

עד דרש אחיך [AND IT SHALL BE WITH THEE] UNTIL THY BROTHER ENQUIRES [FOR IT] — But would it ever enter your mind that one could give it back before he enquires for it (Scripture distinctly states that you do not know to whom the animal belongs)?! But the meaning of the verse is: Thou shalt make diligent enquiries of him that he should not be a fraudulent claimant (Bava Metzia 27b. 28a; cf. Sifrei Devarim 223:4).

AND IF THY BROTHER BE NOT NIGH UNTO THEE — meaning that he does not reside near you, for it is not your duty to go to another land with the lost article in order to restore it to him, or that you do not know him at all. In the Sifre we find:¹²⁹Sifre, Ki Theitzei 223. “I know only that one is obligated to restore lost property if the loser lives nearby. Whence do I know that he must also do so if he lives far away? From what Scripture states, and thou know him not.”¹³⁰In Verse 2 before us. This indicates that if you do know the rightful owner, you are bound to restore it to him even though he lives far away. And if so, the phrase and if thy brother be not nigh unto thee means that he is “not near you” in your city that you may inquire about him and identify him [as the rightful claimant], then it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it.

ואם לא קרוב אחיך אליך, “And if your brother is not near you, etc.” you are to keep his belongings safe by bringing them to your own house.