[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times]

One of the Mitzvos of Purim is that there is a mitzvah to give at least one gift to two different poor people on Purim day. Even a poor person who himself has reached a financial state that he must ask for charity, must still give.

What if a person gives to a poor person and his son who is supported by his father? Would this be considered as if he has given to one person or to two people? The Aruch HaShulchan (OC 694:2) is of the opinion that it is only considered as if he has given to one person. Rav Forsheimer, however, point to the Maharsha (Megillah 7b “shedar’) which indicates that it is considered as two people.

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 (now 3 cents) or its equivalent value to each of two poor persons. A perutah is 1/1244th of an ounce of silver.

Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, rules that the minimum amount should be $1. The Shaarei Teshuvah rules that it should be the equivalent amount of the cost of a meal for a poor person. In modern times this amounts to approximately five dollars (Rav Shmuel Fuerst.) .

These gifts should be given in the daytime, after the Megillah is read. Matanos la’evyonim should be above and beyond maaser.

Money set aside for matanos la’evyonim should not be changed to another tzedakah without a ruling from a posek.

One is not overly strict with the poor on Purim to determine whether they are really poor or not. Whoever puts his hand out — we give him. According to leading poskim, this does not apply to organizations, however.

Women are also obligated to give gifts to the poor on Purim. A married woman may fulfill the mitzvah through her husband. Ideally, however, the husband should inform his wife that he has given matanos la’evyonim for her, as well.

Children who are dependent upon their parents’ table should still give matanos la’evyonim on their own (Aruch HaShulchan 694:2).

Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, ruled that one may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos la’evyonim with a check. This is true even if the check is post-dated.

One may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos la’evyonim by giving the money even to a young child who is considered poor.
Matanos la’evyonim may be given anonymously. This is the ideal form of fulfilling the mitzvah.

There is a debate as to whether it is preferable to give many poor people a minimum amount of matanos la’evyonim or to give just a few people a significant amount of matanos la’evyonim. The Bach (siman 695) writes that it is preferable to give more people the lesser amount. Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, is quoted (Shvus Yitzchak 8:2 as cited in Kovetz Halachos, p. 92) that it is preferable to give fewer people a more significant amount. Since either way one fulfills the mitzvah, one should perform it in the manner in which one feels most inspired toward dveikus Bashem.

The author may be reached at [email protected]

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