Reply To: Saving shul seats, sidurrim for others not yet here

Gaon – “There is no such concept as “Zochin” in this regard – it is not exactly hefeker that there are “kinyanim” etc. involved. It belongs to the shul i.e. to people as a whole – all are partners and whoever arrives to shul to use it . You have no “Baalus” in any sense other than actually using it.”

When I did homework with my son Gemarah HaMafkid (B.M.) it discusses that a rich person can be zocha peah (produce at corner of field left for poor) for his friend the anee (poor), because Migo he could make hefker his wealthand Migo he could then be zocha for himself the peah, therefore he can be zoche for his poor friend.

The peah is not hefker, it belongs to the community of poor people…the din of zochin applies. Likewise the seats, siddurimandkiddush kugel is not hefker, it belongs to the community of mispallelim, and IMO zochim works – but limited to what one can be zoche for himself.

There are kinyanim involved, like hagbaah (picking up the siddur), meshicha (pulling the kugel off the platter)or chazaka (like sitting on seat).

There is baalus, because if the siddur is put down – no one can grab it (or if you stand for Boruch Sh’Amar – no one can squeeze into your seat). And no one better not touch my kugel once it is in my plate (kinyan chotzer ha’mishtameres)!