Q: In a place where most passersby are gentile, is there any need to publicize the lost item?
A: We learned that even if you found a lost item where most passersby are gentiles, if a Jew gives simanim, you should return the item lifnim mishuras hadin — beyond the letter of the law (C.M. 259:5,7).
Some add that even if there is no siman, but you know who lost the item, you should return it lifnim mishuras hadin, even after yei’ush. Nonetheless, there is no obligation to publicize the lost item (Shulchan Aruch Harav #18).
However, some write that lifnim mishuras hadin you should even publicize it (Kitzur Piskei HaRosh B.M. 2:6).
Rema rules that in places where the law of the land or a communal enactment requires returning a lost item even after yei’ush, you are obligated to return it. In these circumstances, presumably, we would require even a poor person to return the aveidah, even though he is not required to act lifnim mishuras hadin. However, some explain that in these places, we just enforce the lifnim mishuras hadin, but do not oblige a poor person who has no requirement whatsoever to return the item (C.M. 259:7; Ketzos Hachoshen 259:3; Shach 356:10).
