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Mishloach Manot: Difference between revisions
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Mishloach Manot | There is a mitzvah to give one Mishloach Manot, containing two foods, to another Jew on Purim. <ref> The obligation of Mishloach Manot is explicit in Megillat Ester 9:22 and S”A 695:4. Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 142) writes that it’s obvious one doesn’t fulfill one’s obligation by sending to a non-Jew as he is not included in Reyeyhu. </ref> | ||
== | ==How many Mishloach Manot should one give?== | ||
# There’s an obligation to send | # There’s an obligation to send one gift called Mishloach Manot, consisting of two foods, to one person on Purim. <Ref> Gemara Megilah 7a, Rambam (Megilah 2:15), Tur and S”A 695:4 </ref> | ||
# After fulfilling one Mishloach Manot according to the halacha, one may give more even if they don’t fulfill all the stringencies of Mishlaoch Manot. <Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (pg 133) writes that after one gave one Mishloach Manot, one may send more even if they don’t fulfill the strict laws of Mishloach Manot (unlike the Torat Avigdor who holds that all of the Mishloach Manot have to be according to the halacha). This seems to be supported by the Mishna Brurah 695:22. </ref> | |||
# Anyone who increases in sending Mishloach Manot is praiseworthy. <Ref>S”A 695:4 </ref> | # Anyone who increases in sending Mishloach Manot is praiseworthy. <Ref>S”A 695:4 </ref> | ||
## Some explain that we’re supposed to give gifts in order to increase friendliness and | ## Some explain that we’re supposed to give gifts in order to increase friendliness and spread kindness and peace among Jews. <ref>Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (Manot HaLevi, Ester 9:20, pg 208a) </ref> Others explain that the obligation is meant to supply people with food for the Purim Sueda especially those who are poor and are embarrassed to ask for money. <Ref> Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 111. To see more pilpul about these reasons see Sh”t חתם סופר 196, Katav Sofer 141:2, Sh”t Shevet Sofer 23, Sh”t Binyan Tzion 44, Sh”t Afarkasta DeAniya 25, Sh”t Bet Sharim 385. </ref> | ||
==When should it be done?== | ==When should it be done?== | ||
# Mishloach Manot should be given during the day of purim and not the night. <Ref> Darkei Moshe 695:7 quotes Mahari Brin (based on the Rosh Megilah 1:6) who says that there’s only an obligation of Mishloach Manot during the day. The Rama codifies this in 695:4. Mishna Brurah 695:22 writes that only one must be given during the day, however, if one wants to give more Mishloach Manot one may give them at night. Chazon Ovadyah (pg 140) holds like the Rama. </ref> | # Mishloach Manot should be given during the day of purim and not the night. <Ref> Darkei Moshe 695:7 quotes Mahari Brin (based on the Rosh Megilah 1:6) who says that there’s only an obligation of Mishloach Manot during the day. The Rama codifies this in 695:4. Mishna Brurah 695:22 writes that only one must be given during the day, however, if one wants to give more Mishloach Manot one may give them at night. Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah (pg 140) and Yalkut Yosef 695:4(2) holds like the Rama. </ref> | ||
# | # It is preferable to give it before eating the Seudat Purim. <Ref> Rav Shlomo Zalman (Halichot Shlomo 19:9) writes that one shouldn’t eat before fulfilling Mishloach Manot because it is like other mitzvot which one may not eat before fulfilling. Moadim UZmanim 2:186 agrees. However, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 135) writes that the implication of the Rambam and S”A who mention Seudat Purim before Mishlaoch Manot is that it is permitted to eat before Mishloach Manot. He adds that it is proper to give it before the meal. Tzitz Eliezer 15:32(15), Az Nidbaru 6:65, and Mishna Halachot 6:122, 7:92 agree. </ref> | ||
==What’s called two portions?== | ==What’s called two portions?== | ||
# One food which is cut in two pieces isn’t considered two foods. <Ref>Aruch HaShulchan 695:14, Chazon Ovadyah (purim pg 125) </ref> | # One food which is cut in two pieces isn’t considered two foods. <Ref>Aruch HaShulchan 695:14, Chazon Ovadyah (purim pg 125) </ref> | ||
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# Preferably, one should send Mishloach Manot that are significant according to the wealth of the giver. <ref>Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 8:14:4, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 129) </ref> | # Preferably, one should send Mishloach Manot that are significant according to the wealth of the giver. <ref>Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 8:14:4, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 129) </ref> | ||
# If the receiver of the Mishloach Manot is wealthy, it’s proper that the Mishloach Manot be according to his honor. <ref>Chaye Adam (vol 3, 155:31) quotes the Yerushalmi which implies that to fulfill one’s obligation the Mishloach Manot must be according to the honor of the receiver. However, Biur Halacha (695 D”H Chayav), Halichot Shlomo (pg 336), and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 129) hold that it’s only preferable. </ref> | # If the receiver of the Mishloach Manot is wealthy, it’s proper that the Mishloach Manot be according to his honor. <ref>Chaye Adam (vol 3, 155:31) quotes the Yerushalmi which implies that to fulfill one’s obligation the Mishloach Manot must be according to the honor of the receiver. However, Biur Halacha (695 D”H Chayav), Halichot Shlomo (pg 336), and Chazon Ovadyah (pg 129) hold that it’s only preferable. </ref> | ||
# | # Many say that each food should be something that could serve as a course in a meal. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (pg 129-31) learns from Megillah 7b that one should send enough food that could serve as a meal. Aruch HaShulchan 695:15 writes each food should be significant. Similarly, Rabbi Schachter (3/4/09 “Hilchos Purim”, min 56-8) said each food should be something that could serve as a course in a meal or one can invite a guest for a meal. </ref> | ||
# If one sends bread it counts as one food and only one other is required. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 128), Kaf HaChaim 695:42 </ref> | # If one sends bread it counts as one food and only one other is required. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 128), Kaf HaChaim 695:42 </ref> | ||
# A filled pastry only counts as one food and another is required. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 128) </ref> | # A filled pastry only counts as one food and another is required. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 128) </ref> | ||
## Deli and Sardines can be used for Mishloach Manot. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 118), however, Moadim UZmanim (Rav Moshe Shternbach, vol 2 siman 54) has a doubt regarding deli (or foods that can last more than one day). </ref> | ## Deli and Sardines can be used for Mishloach Manot. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 118), however, Moadim UZmanim (Rav Moshe Shternbach, vol 2 siman 54) has a doubt regarding deli (or foods that can last more than one day). </ref> | ||
# If one sent food that is kosher but the receiver doesn’t hold of that hechsher, one fulfills the obligation. <ref> Sh”t Kinyan Torah 7:55 writes that one fulfills the obligation even according to the Trumat HaDeshen since he could sell it. Nishmat Avraham 695 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman who also holds that you fulfill your obligation. Piskei Teshuvot 695:20 writes that if one sends kosher food but the receiver doesn’t eat because of a chumra one fulfills one’s obligation. </ref> | # If one sent food that is kosher but the receiver doesn’t hold of that hechsher, one fulfills the obligation. <ref> Sh”t Kinyan Torah 7:55 writes that one fulfills the obligation even according to the Trumat HaDeshen since he could sell it. Nishmat Avraham 695 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman who also holds that you fulfill your obligation. Piskei Teshuvot 695:20 writes that if one sends kosher food but the receiver doesn’t eat because of a chumra one fulfills one’s obligation. </ref> | ||
# | # A drink counts just like a food, but some are strict to give two foods. <Ref> Trumat HaDeshen 111 writes that a drink counts just like a food. Many achronim agree including Magen Avraham 695:11, Mishna Brurah 695:20, Pri Chadash 695:4 (D”H Katuv BeTrumat), and Aruch HaShulchan 695:14. However, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 124) writes that it’s preferable to give two foods, not including drinks, because of the opinion of Rabbenu Chananel (Megilla 7b). </ref> | ||
==Non-foods== | ==Non-foods== | ||
# One doesn’t fulfill the obligation with anything that’s non-food, such as clothing or cigarettes. <Ref> Darkei Moshe 695:7 quotes the Maharil that it’s preferable to send food and not other items. However, the Darkei Moshe also quotes the Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 111 who writes that one doesn’t fulfill their obligation with anything other than food and drinks. So holds the Eliyah Rabba 695:9, Mishna Brurah 695:20, and Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 120) write that only food can be used and not clothing or other things against the Sh”t Halachot Ketonot 163 (quoted by Bear Hetiev 695:9), Nahar Shalom 695:2, and Sh”t Mei Yehuda 86. Similarly, Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 120-3), Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 9:33, and Sh”t Tirosh VeYitzhar 171:4 write that one doesn’t fulfill their obligation with cigarettes. However, Sh”t Divrei Yisrael (Waltz) 1:223 holds that one fulfills their obligation with cigarettes. See also Sh”t Rivivot Efraim 3:473:2 </ref> | # One doesn’t fulfill the obligation with anything that’s non-food, such as clothing or cigarettes. <Ref> Darkei Moshe 695:7 quotes the Maharil that it’s preferable to send food and not other items. However, the Darkei Moshe also quotes the Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 111 who writes that one doesn’t fulfill their obligation with anything other than food and drinks. So holds the Eliyah Rabba 695:9, Mishna Brurah 695:20, and Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 120) write that only food can be used and not clothing or other things against the Sh”t Halachot Ketonot 163 (quoted by Bear Hetiev 695:9), Nahar Shalom 695:2, and Sh”t Mei Yehuda 86. Similarly, Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 120-3), Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 9:33, and Sh”t Tirosh VeYitzhar 171:4 write that one doesn’t fulfill their obligation with cigarettes. However, Sh”t Divrei Yisrael (Waltz) 1:223 holds that one fulfills their obligation with cigarettes. See also Sh”t Rivivot Efraim 3:473:2 </ref> | ||
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==How the gift is sent== | ==How the gift is sent== | ||
# Some say that one should | # Some say that one should give Mishloach Manot through a Shaliach (messenger), while others say that this is unnecessary. <Ref> | ||
# One fulfills the obligation by sending the Mishloach Manot through a child or | * Sh”t Binyan Tzion 44 writes that based on the simple translation of Mishloach, he had a question if one fulfilled Mishloach Manot by giving it directly. He concludes that one fulfills one’s obligation because giving it directly satisfies both reasons (see note 2). | ||
# If the person receiving the gift doesn’t want to accept, | * Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:346 writes that this seems to be a dispute in the Rishonim. Gemara Megilla 7b says that Abaye and Rabbi Chanina would exchange their meals on Purim. Rashi Megilla 7b explains that they switched off eating at each other’s Seudot. Bet Yosef 695:4 asks on Rashi how they fulfilled Mishloach Manot. Darkei Moshe 695:7 defends Rashi saying that the word “mishloach” is imprecise and there’s no difference in sending food and providing food for a guest. However, Rambam (Megillah 2:15) and Ran 3b explain each person sent his meal to his friend and his friend to him in order to fulfill Mishloach Manot, implying it needs to be sent. | ||
* Chazon Ovadyah (pg 143-5) quotes Rav Ezra Attiah, who argues on the Binyan Tzion based on Kiddushin 23b which says that there’s no Shelichut if one couldn’t do it oneself. Rav Ovadyah answers that this only applies when the sender isn’t chayav in that mitzvah; however, all Jews are chayav in Mishloach Manot. | |||
* Mishna Brurah 695:18 quotes the question of the Binyan Tzion. Chatom Sofer on Gittin 22b and Yafeh Lelev 695:19 insist on having a messenger. However, Maadeni Shlomo (pg 121) quoting Chazon Ish, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 143), Sh”t Yehuda Yaaleh OC 207, Eshel Avraham 695, Sh”t Nachalat Binyamin 136, Sh”t Elef Lecha Shlomo OC 383, Sh”t Yad HaLevi OC 118, and Rabbi Sobolofsky (3/8/09 “Mishloach Manos- Fact and Fiction”) hold one doesn’t need a messenger. See also Sh”t Yabea Omer 9:71 who writes that one can rely on a Shaliach to fulfill his mission. </ref> | |||
# One fulfills the obligation by sending the Mishloach Manot through a child or non-Jew. <Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (pg 145-6), Mekor Chaim 694, Chatom Sofer (Gittin 22b) </ref> | |||
# If the person receiving the gift doesn’t want to accept, nonetheless, the giver has fulfilled his obligation. <ref> Rama 695:4 </ref> However, others argue that one hasn’t fulfilled his obligation. <ref> Chatom Sofer 196, Pri Chadash (quoted by Mishna Brurah 695:23) </ref> | |||
# It’s preferable to give the two portions of Mishloach Manot at once and not one after another. <Ref>Chida in Kikar LeAden (pg 21b) writes that from the פסוק one must send both portions at once. Chazon Ovadyah (pg 131) writes that preferably one should give both portions together. </ref> | # It’s preferable to give the two portions of Mishloach Manot at once and not one after another. <Ref>Chida in Kikar LeAden (pg 21b) writes that from the פסוק one must send both portions at once. Chazon Ovadyah (pg 131) writes that preferably one should give both portions together. </ref> | ||
# If one gives Mishloach as a gift which must be returned one doesn’t fulfill one’s obligation. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 19:13, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 133), Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 694:4(4) </ref> | # If one gives Mishloach as a gift which must be returned one doesn’t fulfill one’s obligation. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 19:13, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 133), Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 694:4(4) </ref> | ||
# If one gives Mishloach Manot through an institution and one will pay later, one fulfills the mitzvah. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 19:14 </ref> | # If one gives Mishloach Manot through an institution and one will pay later, one fulfills the mitzvah. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 19:14 </ref> | ||
# If one gave the Mishloach Manot and the receiver didn’t know until after purim one didn’t fulfill one’s obligation. < | # If one gave the Mishloach Manot and the receiver didn’t know until after purim one didn’t fulfill one’s obligation. Therefore, one should ensure that the recipient notices that he received it before sunset. <Ref> Aruch HaShulchan 695:16 writes that if the recipient doesn’t return home during the day and doesn’t know about it, even if his family accepts it for him, the giver doesn’t fulfill his obligation. Yalkut Yosef 695:4(28) agrees. See, however, Adar VePurim (pg 158) who quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that if a woman accepted Mishloach Manot on behalf of her husband, even if he didn’t know about it on purim, nonetheless, the giver fulfills his obligation. </ref> | ||
==Who is obligated?== | ==Who is obligated?== | ||
