Kitzur Yomi #82 | Siman 9, Seif 11 | Can You Borrow Someone’s Tallis Without Permission?

May you use someone else's tallis without first asking permission?Normally, borrowing another person's property without permission is prohibited. But in this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch discusses a special consideration when the object is being borrowed to perform a mitzvah and its owner will suffer no loss.The Kitzur rules that a person's tallis may be borrowed occasionally without his knowledge for davening, based on the assumption that a person is pleased when a mitzvah is performed with his property. The tallis may not, however, be taken out of the place where the owner left it, and it should ordinarily be returned in the same condition—including being refolded if it was found folded.The se'if also discusses borrowing a tallis solely for receiving an aliyah. Because there is a question whether a berachah should be made in this situation, one should specifically intend not to acquire the tallis, thereby avoiding the obligation to make a berachah according to all opinions.A congregational tallis is different. Even when it is taken only for an aliyah, a berachah is recited because the communal tallis is considered as though it belongs to each member of the congregation.Ordinarily, borrowing someone's property without permission is prohibited.The Kitzur permits occasionally borrowing a tallis without the owner's knowledge for the purpose of a mitzvah when there is no loss to the owner.The tallis should not be removed from the house or location where the owner left it.If it was found folded, it should ordinarily be returned folded.On Shabbos, when proper folding may present a halachic issue, it need not be refolded.When borrowing a tallis only for an aliyah, one should intend not to acquire it, and no berachah is made.A congregational tallis does require a berachah, even when used only for an aliyah.The commentary notes differing opinions about borrowing without permission, particularly when the owner is known to object or under contemporary circumstances.This halachah beautifully combines enthusiasm for mitzvos with respect for another person's property. The assumption that a Jew is pleased when his possessions help another Jew perform a mitzvah is powerful—but it isn't permission to disregard ownership. The tallis cannot simply be taken wherever you want, and it must be treated carefully and respectfully.There is a broader lesson here: our desire to perform a mitzvah should make us more considerate of other people, not less. A mitzvah performed with someone else's property comes together with the responsibility to respect the person who owns it.Key TakeawaysPractical Lesson