Q&A: Stolen Willow
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Stolen Willow
Question
In an office area in my city there is a corner (open to the public) where, among other things, willow trees grow. It could be that the spot is maintained by the municipality or by the companies whose offices are in that area.
It can be accessed freely. My question is whether it is permissible to take willows from there for the holiday. Just ordinarily I would pick branches for fun without thinking whether it was theft…
Answer
If it is ownerless, then of course it is permitted. You are asking me, as a factual matter, whether a garden whose location and status I do not know is ownerless? How exactly am I supposed to answer that?