Giving to Everyone on Purim

Hi,

Is there a requirement to give tzedakah to all who request it on Purim?

Normally, one is required to investigate a tzedakah recipient or fund before giving a gift that would reduce his tzedakah for others, lest he cheat authentically needy people. [There is an exception where the need is dire and immediate, as in a request for food.]

However, on Purim we are instructed to increase people's joy and to give gifts of money and portions of food. Therefore, the majority view of halachic authorities is that one should give to anyone who asks. [There is a minority view which contends that this rule applies specifically for official distributors of communal tzedakah funds.]

(Bava Metzia 78b; Bava Batra 9a; Yerushalmi Megilah 1:4; Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megilah 2:16 and see Tzofnas Paneiach ibid.; Ramban to Bava Metzia 78b; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 694:3; Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 249:7, 257:1; Rivivos Ephraim 6:386)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Sending mishloach manot and matanot laevyonim in advance

Hi,

May I fulfill matanos la'evyonim and mishloach manos by sending my gifts in advance?

Because the tzedakah given for matanos la'evyonim is meant to be used for Purim needs, some authorities say to give it on Purim, lest it be spent in advance. Also, some contend that it is meant to recall the events of the original Purim, on Purim. However, most authorities rule that one may deliver matanos la'evyonim in advance, thus ensuring that indigent people will have the means to arrange a Purim feast. One certainly may send it to a distribution agent in advance, for distribution on Purim day.

Regarding the mitzvah of mishloach manos, some authorities understand that the purpose of the mitzvah is to increase our goodwill toward each other on Purim itself. Therefore, mishloach manos should be sent, or at least received, on Purim itself.

(Magen Avraham 694:1; Be'er Heiteiv Orach Chaim 695:7; Pri Megadim Orach Chaim Eishel Avraham 694:1; Biur Halachah Orach Chaim 694 lishnei; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 690:1, 694:2; Beit Shearim Orach Chaim 381; Divrei Yatziv Orach Chaim 298:2, Hashmatos 65:1; Yehudah Yaaleh Orach Chaim 207; Chelkas Yaakov Orach Chaim 233; Torah Lishmah 188; Yechaveh Daas 440)

Have a great day,

Mordechai 

Using vouchers for matanot la'evyonim

Hi,

We are instructed to give gifts to at least two needy people on Purim; this is called matanot la'evyonim.

According to the Mishneh Berurah (694:2), it is ideal to give food for matanot la'evyonim, or money which the needy recipient could spend that day. Therefore, ideally, one should only use vouchers if the recipient would be able to redeem them for money or food on Purim.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Sending Matanot la'Evyonim before Purim

Hi,

Because the tzedakah given for matanot la'evyonim is meant for Purim expenditures, some authorities say to give it on Purim, lest it be spent in advance. Also, some contend that it is meant to recall the events of the original Purim, on Purim. However, most authorities rule that one may deliver matanot la'evyonim in advance, thus ensuring that indigent people will have the means to arrange a Purim feast. One certainly may send it to a distribution agent in advance for distribution on Purim day.

(Magen Avraham 694:1; Be'er Heiteiv Orach Chaim 695:7; Pri Megadim Orach Chaim Eishel Avraham 694:1; Biur Halachah Orach Chaim 694 lishnei; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 690:1, 694:2; Beit Shearim Orach Chaim 381; Divrei Yatziv Orach Chaim 298:2, Hashmatos 65:1; Yehudah Yaaleh Orach Chaim 207; Chelkas Yaakov Orach Chaim 233; Torah Lishmah 188; Yechaveh Daat 440)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Purim Seudah

Hi,

We have been learning about Purim.

First, a note:
We have talked about the mitzvah of giving gifts to the needy on Purim Day.One is allowed to give these gifts to a distributor before Purim, so that the distributor gives them to the poor on Purim Day itself. In fact, historically this money was collected by a central collector, who then distributed them; see Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 694 for laws regarding the collector's role.
Through the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund, I collect and distribute such funds, partly to Od Yosef Chai, an institution in Israel that distributes money on Purim, and partly to locally needy people. To contribute to that fund please send in your donations, marked for "Purim Distribution" or "Matanot la'Evyonim," before Purim.

It is a Mitzvah to have an extra-large meal on Purim day. Specifically, one should do this with other people, whether friends or family, in order to enhance the joy of the meal.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 695:1; Mishneh Berurah 695:9)

And finally, see here for a discussion of the laws of the Purim Seudah when Purim occurs on Friday, as it does this year.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Matanot laEvyonim and Maaser Kesafim: Two different avenues of Tzedakah

Hi,

More about Purim and Matanot la'Evyonim:

Money spent on the Mitzvah of giving to the poor on Purim does not count towards the year-round obligation to give 10% of one's income to charity.

For example: A person earning $100,000 (after income taxes) per year is obligated to give $10,000 per year to Tzedakah, over and above the amount given to the poor on Purim.

(Mishneh Berurah 694:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Matanot laEvyonim: No Background Checks on Purim

Hi,

We have been learning about Purim.

Regarding the Mitzvah of giving to the needy on Purim: One should not examine people who come requesting money on Purim; one should give without any background check.

[This is most unusual; giving tzedakah usually requires that we ascertain the neediness of the recipient. However, this is not like the usual mitzvah of tzedakah.]

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 694:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Highest Purim Priority: Matanot laEvyonim

Hi,

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is Matanot la'Evyonim, in which we give gifts of money to at least two needy people, on Purim day.

It is best to spend most of one's Purim expenditures on this Mitzvah, as opposed to the Mitzvot of sending food to friends (Mishloach Manot) and having a Purim feast.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 694:1; Mishneh Berurah 694:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai