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After renting a place from a non-Jew, I realized I left with a small object accidentally. Am I obligated to return it as a "stolen" object, or is it considered a "lost" object that I am not obligated (and possibly forbidden) to return?

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One classical halachic case is one of accidentally switching items (from here)

One who [accidentally] took the wrong item while at the house of a mourner or while participating in a festive meal, may not use the item [that he accidentally took] and doing so is considered stealing.

Regarding the object being possibly forbidden to be returned to non-Jews, it is true the concern exists in some cases (see sources here) but note the Rambam (Gezelah va'Avedah 11:3) who writes (regarding a found object, not something you took by mistake)

if one returns to sanctify God's name, so that others will praise the Jewish people and know that they are trustworthy, this is praiseworthy.

The Rambam's language regarding stealing from a gentile is much stronger (Gezelah va'Avedah 1:2)

It is forbidden to rob even the slightest amount. It is forbidden even to rob or to withhold money from a gentile who worships idols. If one robs or withholds money from such a person, one must return it.

Regarding the combination of stealing by accident (which is addressed in halacha) and doing so from a non-Jew (which is not - the classical case is whether to return a lost object), I would argue that no one would think it is OK to take things accidentally from non-Jews and not return them. And argue that, if the Rambam writes one should return a lost object if it is a kiddush Hashem, it is an even stronger recommendation if one accidentally took something from them!

Therefore I believe that, in the spirit of Dvarim 6:18 "Do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord", the right thing to do would be to call the person and ask

  1. whether he/she wants the object back? or
  2. whether you can reimburse him/her for it? or
  3. whether the object is insignificant to him/her?

See also the story of Shimon ben Shetach from Yerushalmi Bava Metzia 2:5, as well as here from R Daniel Mann ("of course, he has to return it when he finds out the truth"), here regarding the definition of an akum vs. today's non-Jews, here for further halachic sources and here.

And as usual, consult your rabbi before implementing anything you learn from MiYodeya.

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  • I think @DoubleAA's link points to the right direction - it is a clear unintentional steal.
    – Al Berko
    Jul 18, 2018 at 14:17
  • I meant that question had the right sources from Shu"A 348,2.
    – Al Berko
    Jul 18, 2018 at 14:25
  • @AlBerko but here it is the Jew who makes a mistake - and isn't there a real risk of hilul Hashem when the non-Jew realizes his Jewish renter left with an object ?!
    – mbloch
    Jul 18, 2018 at 14:27
  • Did you read my comment on the question? Would you call it a mistake? The act of "actively taking" is called גזילה in any way, either intentionally or unintentionally. Mildly rephrasing the question does not help to lessen its severity, I think.
    – Al Berko
    Jul 18, 2018 at 14:36
  • @AlBerko I saw your comment on the question now - and agree
    – mbloch
    Jul 18, 2018 at 14:38

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