Mishloach Manot

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Basic obligation

  1. There’s an obligation to send a gift called Mishloach Manot of two foods to one person on Purim. [1]
    1. Some explain that we’re supposed to give gifts in order to increase friendliness and plant roots of kindness and peace as such is the way of Torah. [2] Others explain that the obligation is meant to supply people with food for the Purim Sueda especially those who are poor and are embaressed to ask for money. [3]

What type of foods?

  1. The food being sent should be cooked or ready to eat, however, some permit even if it’s raw but at least the animal has been slaughtered properly (shechita). [4]
    1. Deli and Sardines can be used for Mishloach Manot. [5]
  2. If one sent food that is kosher but the receiver doesn’t hold of that hechsher, one fulfills their obligation. [6]

Non-foods

  1. One doesn’t fulfill the obligation with anything that’s non-food, such as clothing or cigarettes. [7]
  2. One doesn’t fulfill the obligation with money. [8]
  3. Additionally, one doesn’t fulfill their obligation by sending Chiddushei Torah. [9]

How the gift is sent

  1. Some say that one should send the Mishloach Manot through a messenger. [10] Others argue.

References

  1. Gemara Megilah 7a, Rambam (Megilah 2:15), Tur and S”A 695:4
  2. Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (Manot HaLevi pg 208a)
  3. 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.
  4. Maharil, Magan Avrham 795:11, El.iyah Rabba 695:8, Maaseh Rav (Siman 240), Chaye Adam 155:31, and Aruch HaShulchan 695:15 all hold that one must send a food that’s cooked and ready to eat. However, Pri Chadash holds that it’s enough that it’s slaughtered even if it’s raw. Kodeshei David Chassan 695:4, Sh”t Shelat Yacov 61(1), Gefen Poriah (Megilah 7b), Sh”T Shevet Sofer 23, Netsiv in Emek Shelah (Siman 67:9), and Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 118) holds like the Pri Chadash. Mishna Brurah 695:20 brings both opinions.
  5. 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).
  6. Sh”t Kinyan Torah 7:55, Piskei תשובה 695:20 writes that one fulfills their 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.
  7. Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 111, 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 Lakech Tov 163, 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
  8. Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 120)
  9. Chazon Ovadyah (Purim pg 123)
  10. Sh”t Binyan Tzion 44, Mishna Brurah 695:18