Saul Robbins
Found | As Jews we are commanded not only to return found objects to their owners, but also to take special care of them, seeking out their owners to reunite both parties.
Deuteronomy 22:1-3 states: “If you notice your fellow’s animal gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. If your fellow does not live near you or you do not know who s/he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain with you until your fellow claims it; then you shall give it back to her/ him. You shall do the same with his/her ass; you shall do the same with his/her garment; and so too shall you do with anything that your fellow loses and you find; you must not remain indifferent.”
As an artist, I decided to interpret this particular Mitzvah in my own manner. In the winter of 2002-2003 I found and photographed lost gloves on the streets of Manhattan, often in my neighborhood. With utmost care I retrieved each article, leaving behind a note with my contact information and website. This effort was made in the hopes that the owners would pass that spot again, discover my efforts to reunite them with their lost article, and contact me. I took their article home to be washed by hand, waiting to be reclaimed by its owner. With over 40 gloves in my collection, I have yet to receive a call.
