Community Magazine March 2014

The Top 10 Questions & Answers on custom and laws of RABBI DANIEL D. LEVY Dedicated in loving memory of HachamNissim benMazal a.h Matanot La’evyonim 1 WHAT IS THE MITZVAH OF MATANOT LA’EVYONIM? Megilat Ester (9:22) lists as one of the mitzvot of Purim “gifts to the poor,” which the sages (Megillah 7a) understood as referring to an obligation to give one gift to two separate needy people. Accordingly, the Shulhan Aruch (694:1) rules that one must give money to two poor people on Purim day. The Aruch Hashulhan (694;2) writes that one may fulfill the mitzvah by giving charity to any person who can be described as “poor,” whereas Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ( Halichot Shelomoh , p. 340) writes that the recipient must lack the means to provide his household with their basic needs. It is advisable to fulfill this mitzvah through the rabbis who operate special charity funds for this purpose. 2 WHO IS OBLIGATED TO GIVE MATANOT LA’EVYONIM? Both men and women are included in this obligation ( Mishnah Berurah to 694:1), and even a poor person who depends on charity for his own support must give matanot la’evyonim ( Bach, Taz ). If a poor person gives a coin to a second poor person, who in turn gives him back a coin, both have fulfilled their obligation. 3 WHAT MAY THE RECIPIENT DO WITH THE MONEY? Although the hachamim earmarked matanot la’evyonim to enable the poor to fulfill the mitzvah of celebrating the Purim meal (see 5c in next column), nonetheless the poor person may use the money for any purpose he wishes. However, money that was earmarked for matanot la’evyonim but not yet given to a poor person may not be used for any other purpose ( Shulhan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah , 694:2). 4 IS A MOURNER ALLOWED TO GIVE OR RECEIVE MATANOT LA’EVYONIM? A mourner – even while observing shivah – is fully obligated in all the requirements of Purim, and must therefore give matanot la’evyonim . A mourner who is needy may receive matanot la’evyonim . 5 WHAT IS THE REASON FOR MATANOT LA’EVYONIM? Several different reasons have been given for this mitzvah: A. The Hida ( Ahavat David , p. 67b) notes that the first letters of the words “ish lere’ehu umatanot la’evyonim” spell the word Elul, the name of the final month before Rosh Hashanah. Just as Elul is a time for repentance and preparation for the upcoming Day of Judgment, similarly, we must repent before the holiday of Pesah, which is also a day of judgment. The rabbis taught in Ra’ya Mehimna that Amalek will be destroyed on the festival of Pesah, and that Mashiah will arrive at that time. Therefore, we give extra charity on Purim, one month before Pesah, to atone for our sins so we will be prepared for the final redemption on Pesah. B. The work Torat Emet explains that Purim is related to Kippur, as the miracles of Purim occurred in response to the Jews’ repentance. Repentance consists of fasting, praying and giving charity, and thus we fast on Ta’anit Ester in preparation for Purim, we pray and call out to Hashem by reciting the Megillah , and we give charity to compete the repentance process. C. Rav Elisha Galiko, one of the primary students of Maran HaRav Yosef Karo, explained that the sages instituted this mitzvah because poor people are obligated to celebrate Purim with joyous feasting like all other Jews, as the Purim miracle affected the entire nation, rich and poor alike. We therefore give charity to the poor on Purim day to help enable them to fulfill the mitzvah of celebrating Purim. (See Yalkut Yosef Sakar Edition, introduction to matanot la’evyonim. ) 6 MAY ONE USE A CHECK OR CREDIT CARD TO FULFILL HIS OBLIGATION OF MATANOT LA’EVYONIM? One may fulfill this obligation by giving cash, a check, a credit card donation, or food products. The mitzvah is not fulfilled through other kinds of gifts, example clothing. 46 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE