Written By Rabbi Moishe Lebovits

Halachically Speaking Volume 5

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For many weeks before Pesach, the mailbox is full of letters from organizations looking for kimcha d’pischa. What is this custom? Is it giving wheat or matzos, or money? When should we give this money? Are all of us obligated in this custom? All these and other issues will be answered below.

The Source

The Yerushalmi[1] says that one who lives in a city for twelve months gives wheat to poor people and can accept wheat if he needs it. Based on this Yerushalmi, the custom[2] has become to give wheat to poor local people for Pesach.[3] This custom is mentioned by the poskim as well.[4]

Why Before Pesach

There are many explanations as to why this custom applies to Pesach and not other Yom Tovim:

1. The Shar      Ha’tzyion[5]      says that Pesach is a time when we all sit as free men with joy together      with our families. It is not proper to have poor people who are hungry and      thirsty. Therefore, we give them flour for all of Pesach so that      they can relate the story of Mitzrayim with joy.[6]
2. Chometz is forbidden on Pesach, and matzah is      very costly. If we do not provide it for the poor people then they will be      hungry.[7]
3. We say      in the haggadah that whoever wants to come should come and eat (kol      dichfin etc). This would not be an accurate statement if we allow the      poor to go hungry. Therefore, we give kimcha d’pischa to fulfill      our words.[8]
4. The Yerushalmi[9]      says that we do not bother the public more than three times per year. We      give out money on Chanukah,[10]      matanos l’evyonim,[11]      and kimcha d’pischa. Therefore, we do not do so before other      Yomim Tovim.[12]
5. The Belzer      Rebbe Shlita explains that the Rambam[13]      says that included in the mitzvah of simchas Yom Tov is to      make sure that poor people have food. This can be accomplished by bringing      a poor person to your house to eat as well. However, since on Pesach      people have the custom of not eating by another person home, we give kimcha      d’pischa before Pesach      so the poor can eat in their own homes.[14]

When to Distribute it

This custom is brought in the same simon that discusses the halacha of learning about the laws of Pesach thirty days before the holiday. This indicates that one should start giving kimcha d’pischa thirty days before Pesach.[15]

Is this Tzedaka?

Many poskim say that this money has the status of tzedaka.[16] Nevertheless, it is discussed in hilchos Pesach since the Rambam[17] says that mitzvah of simchas Yom Tov requires us to make sure that poor people have food. Since it is part of Yom Tov, this halacha is brought in the beginning of hilchos Pesach, which open the halachos of Yom Tov.[18]

Citizen

Some poksim say that if a poor person lives in the city for thirty days he has rights to kimcha d’pischa.[19]

How Much to Give?

One should give according to his ability, and enough funds should be collected to provide for the entire Pesach.[20]

Who is Obligated?

Even a learned person (talmid chacham) is obligated in kimcha d’pischa.[21] This applies to a person who is learning in kollel as well.[22] Those who refrain from giving have committed a sin.[23] However, one does not have to give as much as he would give for matanos l’evyonim.[24]

To Whom?

A poor person who has enough for Pesach meals may still accept the money.[25]

From Wheat to Flour / Flour to Matzahs / Matzahs to Money etc.

The earlier sources describe the custom to distribute wheat.[26] In the time of the Mishnah and the Gemorah, most households owned a small hand mill. Therefore, the poor received wheat, which they then ground into flour for their matzos. Over time, however, these mills became obsolete, so flour was distributed instead.

Rather than giving matzah, which is a single type of dish, the poor were given wheat or flour, which could be used for all types of dishes for the entire Yom Tov of Pesach.[27]

When it became common for matzah to be produced by hand or machine in professional bakeries, it was no longer accepted to bake matzah at home.  Therefore, some developed the custom to give matzah to poor people.[28]

Some say that one should still give flour today.[29] This is preferable to giving money for a number of reasons. First, the recipient might spend it on items other than wheat or matzah. Furthermore, he might purchase poor quality wheat. Also, there is the concern of delays before the money is available.[30] Finally, if a set sum of money is designated for this purpose, people will tend to give the same sum every year, without adjusting for inflation. According to the last view, one can give money if he gives the necessary amount to cover the holiday expenses.[31]

Today’s Custom

The overwhelming custom today is to give money for the poor people to buy matzah for Pesach.[32] Therefore, the donations are called maos chitim– money for wheat, as opposed to kimcha d’psicha – wheat for Pesach.

Lately in has become very common to distribute baskets of food, as well as money and other necessities for Pesach.[33]

Using Ma’aser Money

 Some poskim maintain that Ma’aser money may be used for kimcha d’pischa.[34]