By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com There is nothing quite like lifting the burden of someone who is facing challenges with no apparent resources. Whether that person be young or old, they have carried a burden that they feel uncomfortable sharing. Chazal knew the joy and happiness that both parties, actually, feel. This is the Mitzvah of Matanos l’Evyonim on Purim. THE MITZVAH AND ITS SOURCES The Mitzvah of Matanos L’Evyonim on Purim is discussed in the Gemorah at the bottom of Megillah 7a, Tani Rav Yoseph. The Mitzvah is to give at least one gift to two different poor people on the day of Purim. The plural form of the word “L’Evyonim” appearing in the verse teaches us that it must be given to two people. There is also another Gemorah in Bava Metziah 78b that discusses the charity plate of Purim. It is a debate among the Rishonim whether or not this Gemorah is discussing the Mitzvah of Matanos L’Evyonim, or whether it deals with a separate Mitzvah of providing for the Purim needs of the poor. NATURE OF MITZVAH There also seems to be another debate among the Rishonim as to the nature of the Mitzvah. Is it a Mitzvah of Tzedakah, or is Matanos L’Evyonim its own special Mitzvah of the day of Purim – a Mitzvah associated with creating happiness? We will see that this issue is a matter of further debate among the Poskim. On account of this debate, there are a number of differences in halacha as to the nature of fulfilling this Mitzvah. MAASER FUNDS Can you fulfill the Mitzvah with Maaser funds? If it is Tzedaka – then, yes. If it is a happiness Mitzvah then it may not be fulfilled with Maaser funds. Is an ani – a poor person obligated to fulfill this Mitzvah? If it is Tzedaka – then no. The obligation of an Ani to give Tzedaka is once per year. If it Simcha, however, then he must give the matanos l’evyonim. Even a poor person who himself has reached a financial state that he must ask for charity, must still give. PREAMBLE Rav Alexander Ziskind of Grodno was one of the only two individuals who ever received an approbation on a sefer from the Vilna Gaon himself. In his Sefer, Yesod v’shoresh HaAvodah, (12:6) he recommends that one should recite the following preamble before fulfilling the Mitzvah: L’shaim ichud kudsha brich hu, hareini muchan l’kayem mitzvas assei shekasuv besorasainu hakedosha shetzivani yotzri ubori “Nason titian” u “pasoach tiftach” vegam mitzvas assei shel kaballah “umatanos l’evyonim.” It is clear that the Yesod v’Shoresh HaAvodah understands that this Mitzvah is Tzedakah. The Ramban (Bava Metziah 78b) explains that the main purpose of this Mitzvah is to spread Simcha – joy and delight. HOW IT MAY BE FULFILLED This obligation may be fulfilled through any type of gift — money, food, drink, or clothing. One should, however, try to give a substantial monetary gift. If one does use money, ideally it should be enough to buy bread weighing at least three eggs — five slices, approximately. At the very least, however, one must give a perutah or its equivalent value to each of two poor persons. A perutah is 1/1244th of an ounce of silver. Many Poskim, however, are […]
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