During the Great Depression, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman Z”TL operated a small business that was struggling financially. One day, a wealthy customer accidentally left behind an envelope containing several hundred dollars - a huge sum at that time. Despite his own financial struggles during those difficult years, Rabbi Herman immediately set out to find the customer to return the money.
After an extended effort, Rabbi Herman was successful in tracking down the customer. After Rabbi Herman returned the envelope of money to the customer, the customer, aware of Rabbi Herman's difficult financial situation, tried to give him a large reward. Rabbi Herman declined however, saying that he was simply doing what Jewish law had required.
When the customer insisted, pointing out Rabbi Herman's own needs and large family, the rabbi smiled and replied that the Mitzvah (commandment) of returning lost property was worth more than any monetary reward. (This story was documented by his daughter, Ruchoma Shain, in the book, "All for the Boss.")
