Returning a Borrowed Book
QUESTION 58: RETURNING A BORROWED BOOK
If I borrow a book from someone, and both of us forget about
it, is that a transgression? How much an obligation do I
have to go through my bookshelves to find books that I
borrowed, and return them? After a certain amount of
time, let's say a year, can we assume the original owner
has despaired of it, and that eliminates my need to return
it? Can we assume that most people are fairly casual about
this, or is it an area that people should be much more
careful about?
RABBI BELSKY
There's no such thing as a statute of limitation on borrowing.
If you borrow something, and you have it for 110 years, you're
obligated to return it. There's no such concept of a lender
having given up hope for the object that he lent.
NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION 59: COPYING A TAPE IN CASE IN GETS LOST
I own a set of Rabbi Reisman tapes. I wanted to have a friend
listen to one of the tapes that I particularly liked. As an
insurance against his losing the tape, can I make a copy of
the tape and put it in the closet? I won't use the copied
tape unless my friend, or someone else I lend it to, happens
to lose it. Then at least I will have a copy that I can
listen to again. I assume copying of tapes in general is
not allowed, but would this be a case where it would be
allowed?
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