How to Fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanot L'evyonim (Gifts to the Poor) CORRECTLY for Purim
As we approach the days of Purim, we begin to study the laws that apply to Purim.
There are 4 main mitzvot that apply to Purim.
1) The reading of Megillat Esther
2) Matanot L'evyonim - Gifts to the poor
3) Mishloach Manot - Sending food portions
4) Seudat Purim - The Purim Feast
I would like to focus on the 2nd of the four mitzvot, which is Matanot L'evyonim translated as gifts to the poor. There are different words in Hebrew that describe the word poor. We usually use the word ani עני, but here in this case we use the word אביון which is worse than the typical poor person. He is a pauper, miserable, who begs for food and for money. He lives from day to day and may be homeless. He is not like the poor person who lives under the poverty rate and struggles yet has a place to live and a few things to eat in the fridge.
On Purim there is a mitzvah to give gifts to the poor. The custom is to give to two people each enough to enjoy a nice meal. In Israeli standards, we are talking anywhere from 25-50 shekels per person so for two people it comes to 50-100 shekels. That should be the amount given for Purim. The money is usually collected by organizations or the leader of a synagogue and distributed on Purim day itself. It is said, that he who opens his hand to anyone who asks for money on Purim and gives, from Heaven, G-d opens up His hand, as it were, and gives us what we need.
Tachlit is currently accepting donations for Purim. To fulfill the obligation of Matanot L'evyonim properly, one should give a minimum of 50 shekels which is about $15 but if you want to do the mtizvah at a greater level, and give the poor people a nice meal, the recommended amount is 100 shekels which comes to about $30. To make your donation today to be distributed on Purim, click here.
Below are more interesting facts about this wonderful mitzvah:
It is preferable to increase in giving gifts to the poor rather than increasing one's feast and mishloach manot as there is no greater happiness than making the poor and less fortunate happy.
Both men and women are obligated to give Matanot L'evyonim.
One is obligated to give two gifts of charity to two poor people, one to each person.
Nowadays, someone who doesn’t have a stable income that can support one’s family for normal expenses and doesn’t have property that’s not usually used and could be sold or if one has abnormal expenses such as for medical bills, or making a wedding for which one can not afford, is considered a poor person regarding this mitzvah.
One should not check if the poor person is really in need of money, but one should be willing to give to anyone who asks throughout the entire day of Purim.
One can give either money or food as long as these things can be easily used on Purim.
Have a Happy Purim and thank you for your donation!
Credit goes to halachicpedia.com for providing the pertinent halachot.
