During the days and weeks before Purim the mail is full of letters requesting matanas l'evyonim. In this issue we will discuss which people one has to give to, how much to give, when to give and other relevant halachos pertaining to this mitzvah.


The Source

The posuk in the Megilah (1) is the source of the mitzvah to give matanas l'evyonim on Purim. This means that one has to give "matanas" to two people,(2) which in essence means that one has to give one matana to each of two poor people.(3) The more that one gives to poor people on Purim the more fortunate he is.(4) One should give more money to the poor on Purim than he spends for mishloach manos or the seuda.(5) One who gladdens the hearts of these unfortunate people is comparable to the shechina's presence.(6)


Footnotes
(1) 9:22. (2) Mesechtas Megilah, Rosh 1:7, Rif page 6, Shulchan Aruch 694:1, Chai Adom 155:28, Aruch Ha'shulchan 694:1, see Taz 1. Refer to Lekutei Maharich 3:page 726 (new) on why no beracha is recited on this mitzvah. See Kaf Ha'chaim 694:4. Some say a leshem yichud before doing this mitzvah (Kaf Ha'chaim (ibid). (3) Chai Adom 155:28-29, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:3. Refer to Rivevos Ephraim 5:455:1. (4) Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:1. (5) Refer to Rambam Hilchos Megilah 2:16, Sharei Teshuva 1, Elya Rabbah 694:6, Chai Adom 155:29, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:1, Aruch Ha'shulchan 2, Mishnah Berurah 3. There is no need to give the money before chatzos on Purim Day (opinion of Horav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Piskei Shmuos page 142). (6) Rambam Hilchos Megilah 1:17

Copyright 2010 Halachically Speaking

Halachically Speaking is a bi-weekly publication compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits, a former chaver kollel of Yeshiva Torah Voda'ath and a musmach of Horav Yisroel Belsky, shlit"a. Rabbi Lebovits currently works as a Rabbinical Administrator for Kof-K Kosher Superivison.

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