Tuesday
9 Adar II, 5771; 5 Days until Purim
March 15, 2011
Please Note: In order to finish all the relevant Halachos before Purim, the next few days' segments may be slightly longer than usual.
1) It is a Mitzvah to send "Mishloach Manos" on Purim day. It should not be sent on Purim eve. (Rama Siman 695:4)
As with all Mitzvos, there is the concept of "Zerizim Makdimin L'Mitzvos- enthusiastic people run to do Mitzvos", thus it is best to send Mishloach Manos right away on Purim morning, right after davening. (Terumas HaDeshen Siman 110)
There are 2 key reasons cited in the Poskim for this Mitzvah:
a) So that each Jewish person should have the necessary food in order to be able to partake of a Purim meal (Terumas HaDeshen Siman 111, Levush 695:4 and others)
b) To promote "Ahava V'Achva- love and friendship" and to show that we [Jews] are one united nation, as opposed to how Haman referred to us as "Am Mefuzar U'Meforad- a nation that is spread out and separated" (Manos HaLevi from Rav Shlomo Alkabetz , Esther Perek 9:16-17, The MaHaral in Ohr Chadash Esther 9:22 and others)
Every Jew - man and woman - must send [at least] 2 "manos, items" to one person. Sending only one "maneh" is not sufficient to satisfy your obligation.
The more people that one sends "Mishloach Manos" to, the more praiseworthy he/she is. However, it is better to give extra "Matanos L'Evyonim" rather than to splurge on Mishloach Manos and the Purim meal. (Rambam Hilchos Megilah Perek 2:17)
2) The food items that are sent should preferably be ready to eat as they are, without needing additional preparation or cooking. (MaHaril, quoted in Mogen Avraham Siman 695:11, Chayei Adam Klal 155:31, Gr"a brought in Ma'aseh Rav Os 249 and others).
Some Poskim maintain that if it is a raw item that is ready to cook [as opposed to a live chicken], it is also acceptable. (Leket Yosher, Pri Megadim and others. See Mishna Berura Siman 695:20)
Any food items are acceptable, such as meat, bread, cake, wine ,fruits, and vegetables.
There is neither halachic requirement nor any basis at all in the writings of the Poskim for the two items to be of different Brachos, as many people mistakenly think. (As heard from Rav Dovid Feinstein Shlita.)
The Mishna Berura (Siman 695:20), Mogen Avraham, Shl"a Hakadosh and others maintain that beverages are acceptable for Mishloach Manos.
The Gaon of Vilna, however, maintained [based on the Psak of some Rishonim, and the Girsa of the Rabeinu Chananel in the Gemara Megilah 7b] that beverages are not sufficient.
Canned food is considered ready to eat and is 100% acceptable (Moadim U'Zmanim Vol. 2 Siman 186)
Men should not send Mishloach Manos to women and women should not send Mishloach manos to men (See Rama Siman 695:4)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I wanted to know if it's permitted to carry the Megila to shul next shabbos in the afternoon [as Purim begins on Motzei Shabbos]?
Answer:
No, carrying the Megilah to shul is prohibited, even if an eruv is present, as doing so is preparing on Shabbos for Weekday. Rather the Megilah should be brought ot Shul on Erev Shabbos. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 141:17 and Sha'arei Teshuva Siman 693:1)
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk For Today:
"If a person will sin and commit a treachery against Hashem by lying to his comrade regarding a pledge or a loan or a robbery; or by defrauding his comrade." (Vayikra 5:21)
R' Dr. Leo Adler z"l (1915-1978; rabbi of Basel, Switzerland) writes: The Tosefta [a collection of teachings that post-dates the Mishnah but pre-dates the Gemara] relates:
Rabbi Reuven met a philosopher in Teveryah, who asked him, "Who makes himself hateful in this world?"
Rabbi Reuven answered, "He who denies his Creator."
"How does that make him hateful to men?" the philosopher wondered.
Rabbi Reuven replied, "Honor your father and mother; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness--No man breaks these laws without first denying G-d."
What is the basis for Rabbi Reuven's assertion? R' Adler explains that it is our verse. If one man lies to another about a financial matter, it is a treachery against Hashem. Why? Because emunah means not only "faith" but "faithfulness" to G- d's command.
Thus, the level of one's emunah and his fear of G- d are as much tests of a person's character as are his sense of justice and charity.
(The Biblical View of Man p.59)
Submitted by daily reader, C.S. ; Taken from the writings of Rabbi Shlomo Katz on www.Torah.org
Important Numbers
