Matanot LeEvyonim: Difference between revisions
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It is preferable to increase in giving gifts to the poor rather than increasing one's [[seudah]] and mishloach manot as there is no greater happiness than making the poor and less fortunate happy. <ref> | It is preferable to increase in giving gifts to the poor rather than increasing one's [[seudah]] and mishloach manot as there is no greater happiness than making the poor and less fortunate happy. <ref> Rambam Hilchot [[Megillah]] 2:17, Mishna Brurah 694:3, Aruch Hashulchan 694:2, Masechet Sofrim 21:4. The source for Matanot Laevyonim is found in the Megillah 9:22 </ref> | ||
==When | ==Who is Obligated to Give Matanot L'Evyonim?== | ||
# Matanot LeEvyonim should be given during the day and not the night of [[ | # Both men and women are obligated to give Matanot L'evyonim. <Ref> Rama 695:4, Mishna Brurah 694:1, Aruch Hashulchan 694:2, Piskei Teshuvot 695:15, Ben Ish Chai Parashat Tetzaveh Halacha 17. <br> | ||
# If one gives Matanot LeEvyonim before [[ | * Ohr Letzion 4:58: note 3 writes that ideally the husband should give his wife some money of her own which she can use for the fulfillment of the mitzva. | ||
* The Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 explains that although women are obligated, they can fulfill their obligation with their husbands since a man and his wife are considered one entity. </ref> | |||
# Some say that those are financially dependent on their parents, even if they are above the age of Bar/Bat Mitzva are exempt from Matanot L'evyonim.<ref>Ohr Letzion 4:58:3. Nevertheless, he adds that ideally the father should give them money to allow them to fulfill the mitzva. see however Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 who says that even if children are financially dependent, they have their own obligation to give Matanot Levyonim.</ref> | |||
# Children from the age of 6 and above should be taught to give Matanot Laevyonim.<ref> Ohr Letzion 4:58:3</ref> | |||
# Even a poor person who relies on [[charity]] to support himself is obligated to give Matanot L'evyonim. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch and Mishna Brurah 694:1; The Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 quotes the Bach, Taz, and Pri Megadim explaining that this obligation of the poor person to give to other poor people is similar to his obligation to sell his possessions in order to buy Chanukah candles and four cups of wine for the Pesach Seder. M.B. 694:2 quotes the Pri Megadim explaining that the poor person can switch meals with two other poor people in order to fulfill his obligation without having to lose money </ref> | |||
==When Should Matanot L'evyonim be Given?== | |||
# Matanot LeEvyonim should be given during the day and not the night of [[Purim]],<Ref>Magen Avraham 695:13, Mishna Brurah 695:22, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 169. | |||
<br> Rav Moshe Feinstein is quoted in Balayla Hahu page 19 that if one cannot give during the day one can give at night even before the megilla is read. </ref> and after the reading of the Megilla.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 169 </ref> | |||
# If one gives Matanot LeEvyonim before [[Purim]] and is sure that the poor person won’t use it before [[Purim]] one fulfilled one’s obligation. Some are strict to give it on the day of [[Purim]] itself. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 694:8, Piskei Shemuot pg 144 quotes Rav Elyashiv who permits lechatchila; Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 says to be stringent and only give on the day itself. </ref> Similarly, before [[Purim]] one can give it to a messenger (Shaliach) who will give it on [[Purim]] itself. <Ref>Piskei Shemuot pg 144 quoting Rav Nassim Karelitz, Sh"t Mahari Assad 207, Daat Torah 695:4, Sh"t Chelkat Yaakov 1:102, Piskei Teshuvot 694:8 </ref> | |||
# Does it work to donate Matanot Levyonim in America on Purim for people in Israel if it was already given out before one donated it? Some say that it is effective if the distributor of the Matanot Levyonim does as follows: the distributor can make the money he has belong to the person who will donate the money and then use it for giving Matanot Levyonim. That concept involves having something be effective after the fact but it is effective for Matanot Levyonim.<ref> Mishnat Hamishpat (Hilchot Tzedaka Biurim 251:2 p. 144) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that it is effective for the distributor of the tzedaka to be mezakeh the money to the eventual donors and then give it as matanot levyonim and since it is rabbinic we can rely on berierah. | # Does it work to donate Matanot Levyonim in America on Purim for people in Israel if it was already given out before one donated it? Some say that it is effective if the distributor of the Matanot Levyonim does as follows: the distributor can make the money he has belong to the person who will donate the money and then use it for giving Matanot Levyonim. That concept involves having something be effective after the fact but it is effective for Matanot Levyonim.<ref> Mishnat Hamishpat (Hilchot Tzedaka Biurim 251:2 p. 144) quotes Rav Elyashiv saying that it is effective for the distributor of the tzedaka to be mezakeh the money to the eventual donors and then give it as matanot levyonim and since it is rabbinic we can rely on berierah. | ||
* However, Chevel Nachalato 16:24 p. 143 has a lengthy essay on the topic and concludes that it is ineffective since it involves bereirah and potentially matanot levyonim is divrei kabbalah. Also, since the donor who is supposed to be the recipient of the donation isn't known berierah may not be effective. See there at length.</ref> | * However, Chevel Nachalato 16:24 p. 143 has a lengthy essay on the topic and concludes that it is ineffective since it involves bereirah and potentially matanot levyonim is divrei kabbalah. Also, since the donor who is supposed to be the recipient of the donation isn't known berierah may not be effective. See there at length.</ref> | ||
# One can give money to a distributor of tzedaka which will give out the money to poor people on the 14th and 15th of Adar.<ref>Piskei Shemuot p. 147 quotes Rav Chaim Kanievsky saying that it is effective and berierah is irrelevant here, while Rav Karelitz is quoted as holding that one should initially avoid it by splitting up the money for the 14th and 15th.</ref> | # One can give money to a distributor of tzedaka which will give out the money to poor people on the 14th and 15th of Adar.<ref>Piskei Shemuot p. 147 quotes Rav Chaim Kanievsky saying that it is effective and berierah is irrelevant here, while Rav Karelitz is quoted as holding that one should initially avoid it by splitting up the money for the 14th and 15th.</ref> | ||
==How | ==How Much is Given for Matanot L'evyonim?== | ||
# One is obligated to give two gifts of [[charity]] to two poor people, one to each person. <Ref>In the Gemara [[Megillah]] 7a, Rav Yosef says that one should give two gifts to two poor people for Matanot LeEvyonim. Rashi explains that one should give one gift to each poor person. He says that this is derived from the word Matanot, which being in plural means at least 2 gifts, and Evyonim, which being in plural at least 2 poor people. Tur and S”A 694:1 codify this as halacha. Esther 9:22 states, “U’matanos La’evyonim,” in the plural form implying that one is obligated to give to more than one person. M.B. 694:2 quotes the Chidushei Ha’ritva saying that the | # One is obligated to give two gifts of [[charity]] to two poor people, one to each person. <Ref>In the Gemara [[Megillah]] 7a, Rav Yosef says that one should give two gifts to two poor people for Matanot LeEvyonim. Rashi explains that one should give one gift to each poor person. He says that this is derived from the word Matanot, which being in plural means at least 2 gifts, and Evyonim, which being in plural at least 2 poor people. Tur and S”A 694:1 codify this as halacha. Esther 9:22 states, “U’matanos La’evyonim,” in the plural form implying that one is obligated to give to more than one person. M.B. 694:2 quotes the Chidushei Ha’ritva saying that the | ||
minimum shiur to give is at least two prutah’s worth, as anything less is not considered a gift. M.B. 694:3 explains that this obligation to give one matanah to two people is only to fulfill the lowest level of the obligation. However, one should try to give as much tzedakah as possible on the day of Purim “for there is no greater simcha than being mesameach a poor person.”</ref> | minimum shiur to give is at least two prutah’s worth, as anything less is not considered a gift. M.B. 694:3 explains that this obligation to give one matanah to two people is only to fulfill the lowest level of the obligation. However, one should try to give as much tzedakah as possible on the day of Purim “for there is no greater simcha than being mesameach a poor person.”</ref> | ||
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* Chevel Nechalato v. 16 p. 143 quotes Rav Nevinsal who says that matanot levyonim is effective with berierah whether it is derabbanan or deoritta since there’s no need for a specific accomplishment with one person. The goal is just that you gave tzedaka and Hashem considers it as a mitzvah. </ref> | * Chevel Nechalato v. 16 p. 143 quotes Rav Nevinsal who says that matanot levyonim is effective with berierah whether it is derabbanan or deoritta since there’s no need for a specific accomplishment with one person. The goal is just that you gave tzedaka and Hashem considers it as a mitzvah. </ref> | ||
==Who | ==Who Should be Given Matanot L'evyonim?== | ||
# Nowadays, someone who doesn’t have a stable income that can support one’s family for normal expenses and doesn’t have property that’s not usually used and could be sold or if one has abnormal expenses such as for medical bills, or making a wedding for which one can not afford, is considered a poor person regarding this mitzvah. <ref>Piskei Teshuvot 694:2 </ref> | # Nowadays, someone who doesn’t have a stable income that can support one’s family for normal expenses and doesn’t have property that’s not usually used and could be sold or if one has abnormal expenses such as for medical bills, or making a wedding for which one can not afford, is considered a poor person regarding this mitzvah. <ref>Piskei Teshuvot 694:2 </ref> | ||
# The mitzvah can be fulfilled by giving money to men, women or children. However, if the women and children rely on the father for sustenance, then giving to a father and his child or a husband and his wife would only be viewed as giving to one person <ref> Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 </ref>. | # The mitzvah can be fulfilled by giving money to men, women or children. However, if the women and children rely on the father for sustenance, then giving to a father and his child or a husband and his wife would only be viewed as giving to one person <ref> Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 </ref>. | ||
# One should not check if the poor person is really in need of money, but one should be willing to give to anyone who asks throughout the entire day of Purim. <ref> S.A. 694:3. The Aruch Hashulchan 694:3 actually learns this statement of the Shulchan Aruch to be a leniency within the obligation of Tzedaka that one can fulfill his obligation of giving Matanos Le’evyonim by giving to almost anyone and he does not have to check to see if they really need money. According to this understanding of the S.A one need not give to every person that asks. </ref> | # One should not check if the poor person is really in need of money, but one should be willing to give to anyone who asks throughout the entire day of Purim. <ref> S.A. 694:3. The Aruch Hashulchan 694:3 actually learns this statement of the Shulchan Aruch to be a leniency within the obligation of Tzedaka that one can fulfill his obligation of giving Matanos Le’evyonim by giving to almost anyone and he does not have to check to see if they really need money. According to this understanding of the S.A one need not give to every person that asks. </ref> | ||
==What | ==What to Give for Matanot Laevyonim?== | ||
# One can give either money or food as long as these things can be easily used on Purim. <ref> M.B. 694:2 explains that it is best to give the poor person specifically for his needs on the day of Purim. Thus, food can often be better than money. </ref> | # One can give either money or food as long as these things can be easily used on Purim. <ref> M.B. 694:2 explains that it is best to give the poor person specifically for his needs on the day of Purim. Thus, food can often be better than money. </ref> | ||
# One is permitted to give a check.<ref> Mishneh Halachot 6:122, Rivevos Efraim 5:455:2, Chazon Ovadia pg. 170-171 and Halichos Shlomo Purim page 342 </ref>. Some poskim claim that this is only as long as one can draw the money on [[Purim]], meaning the check is not postdated and the banks are open. <ref> Mishnah Halachot 6:122.</ref> Others are lenient.<ref> Chacham Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia pg. 170-171), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo Purim page 342) and Rav Belsky (Piskei Harav Belsky pg. 124) explain that one can use a check even if the bank is not open on Purim. Rav Belsky does agree that one should not use a post-dated check. </ref> | |||
# | # Giving clothing or other items is not sufficient to fulfill the mitzva.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 166 </ref> | ||
==Related Pages== | |||
* [[Zecher_LeMachatzit_HaShekel|Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel]] | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
* [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/56811 Yalkut Yosef Hilchot Purim (Hebrew 5773)] | * [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/56811 Yalkut Yosef Hilchot Purim (Hebrew 5773)] | ||
* [https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/742522/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-matanos-levyonim/ Ten Minute Halacha - Matanos Levyonim] by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz | |||
* Article on [https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/general/1477831/matanos-levyonim-a-halachic-analysis.html Matanos Levyonim - A Halachic Analysis] by Rabbi Yair Hoffman | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{reflist|30em}} | {{reflist|30em}} | ||
