Giving Mishloach Manot as a Couple?

Hi,

Do a husband and wife fulfill mishloach manos by giving a joint gift?

Men and women are independently obligated in all of the mitzvos of Purim. Therefore, husbands and wives are obligated to send their own gifts of mishloach manos, and not to rely on each other's gifts.

Historically, many have relied on their spouses to send on their behalf; this may have been a measure to avoid inappropriate intimacy in cases in which men sent gifts and women received them, or vice versa. Halachic authorities recommend avoiding this problem by having men and women send to their own gender.

(Darchei Moshe Orach Chaim 695:7; Rama Orach Chaim 695:4; Magen Avraham 695:14; Pri Chadash Orach Chaim 695:4; Shevut Yaakov 1:41; Birkei Yosef Orach Chaim 695:8; R' Akiva Eiger to Megilah 4a; Shaarei Teshuvah 695:9; B'Tzel haChochmah 5:51:5; Mishneh Berurah 695:25)

חג פורים שמח,

Mordechai

Mishloach Manos for Mourners?

Hi,

Does a mourner send or receive Mishloach Manos?

Even though the mitzvah of sending mishloach manos involves joy, a mourner is obligated to send mishloach manos. This applies even during shivah. However, the mourner should not send items like wine and delicacies, which increase joy.

One should not send mishloach manos to a mourner, meaning a person who is within the year after losing a parent, or one who is within 30 days after losing a spouse, sibling or child r"l. However, a mourner who receives mishloach manos is not required to refuse them.

One may send to a mourner's family members, where the sender has a relationship with them.

One may send mishloach manos to a needy mourner, as a form of tzedakah. One may send to a mourner who holds a professional position in which it is expected that people will send him mishloach manos as a means of support.

May we know happy occasions.

(Sefer Chasidim 713; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 696:6; Taz Orach Chaim 696:3; Mishneh Berurah 696:18; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 696:8-9; Teshuvos v'Hanhagos 1:692; Divrei Malkiel 5:237; Shevet haLevi 10:107:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

What qualifies for mishloach manot?

Hi,

May I use any kind of food for mishloach manos?

Although Megilas Esther never specifies that the gifts should be food, we understand that these gifts are meant to form the Purim Seudah (feast). Therefore, we give two foods as our gift; ideally, each portion should be of a quantity sufficient to serve as an independent Purim seudah. A beverage also suffices as a portion.

There is no basis for the common notion that the two foods must require separate berachos; it is clear in Gemara and Shulchan Aruch that foods of the same berachah may be used. However, some authorities do require that they be two "types of food", and using foods of separate berachos would guarantee fulfillment of this expectation.

While mishloach manos is a beautiful mitzvah, one who must restrict his Purim expenditures should put more toward matanos la'evyonim than to mishloach manos.

(Megilah 7a-b; Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megilah 2:15; Terumat haDeshen 111; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 695:4; Aruch haShulchan 695:14; Mishneh Berurah 694:3, 695:20; Tzitz Eliezer 14:65; Yechaveh Daas 6:45; http://matzav.com/harav-dovid-feinstein-purim-halacha-tidbits)

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 

Sending Mishloach Manot before Purim

Hi,

Some authorities understand that the purpose of mishloach manot is to increase our goodwill toward each other on Purim itself. Therefore, mishloach manot 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 Daat 440)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Which foods qualify for Mishloach Manot on Purim?

Hi,

May I use any kind of food for mishloach manot?

Although Megilas Esther never specifies that the gifts should be food, we understand that these gifts are meant to form the Purim Seudah (feast). Therefore, we give two foods as our gift; ideally, each portion should be of a quantity sufficient to serve as an independent Purim seudah. A beverage also suffices as a portion.

There is no basis for the common notion that the foods must warrant separate berachot; it is clear in Gemara and Shulchan Aruch that foods of the same berachah may be used. However, some authorities do require that they be two "types of food", and having foods of separate berachot would safeguard against any concern.

While mishloach manot is a beautiful mitzvah, one who must restrict his Purim expenditures should put more toward matanot la'evyonim (gifts to the needy) than to mishloach manot.

(Megilah 7a-b; Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megilah 2:15; Terumat haDeshen 111; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 695:4; Aruch haShulchan 695:14; Mishneh Berurah 694:3, 695:20; Tzitz Eliezer 14:65; Yechaveh Daat 6:45; http://matzav.com/harav-dovid-feinstein-purim-halacha-tidbits)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Mishloach Manot

Hi,

There is a Mitzvah to send two gifts of food to at least one friend on Purim day, as the Megilah says, 'And sending portions, one to another.' The portions should be ready to eat, and appropriate for consumption at the Purim feast, since one of the purposes of this Mitzvah is to help augment people's Purim feasts. This is called "Mishloach Manot" (lit. sending portions).

Wine counts as one of the 'foods' for this Mitzvah.

Women and men have separate obligations to fulfill the Mitzvot of Purim. Therefore, each spouse should make sure to give to the poor and to send gifts of food to friends on Purim day.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 695:4; Mishneh Berurah 695:20)

A mourner does send "Mishloach Manot," gifts of food, to a friend to fulfill this Purim Mitzvah.
However, others should not send Mishloach Manot to a mourner.

"Mourner" refers to one who is within the year after losing a parent, or one who is within 30 days after losing a spouse, sibling or child. May we know only happy occasions, and see no mourning.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 696:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai