- Q. If there is a special Purim collection for the victims of the recent Arab Gaza attacks and their release, should one give the matanot laevyonim for them?
On question 3062, we addressed the following question:
If one is approached during Purim by people collecting for matonos laevyonim for the local needy and also for the Aniyei or poor of Eretz Yisroel, what should he choose?
To what we answered: A. Rambam (H. Matonos Aniyim 7: 13) based on Sifri (Devarim 15) rules that the needy of one’s city take precedence over others. However, Poskim disagree if that includes also the impoverished of Eretz Yisroel. Bach (Y.D. 251) maintains that the local poor prevail, while Peas Hashulchan, Maharam Galanti (76) and others disagree and opine that the Israeli destitute preempt, since besides the mitzva of tzedaka, they are also involved in Yishuv Eretz Yisroel.
Teshuvos Vehanhogos (Y.D. 2: 470) explains that the priority to the resident impoverished applies when one faces them. He also mentions other factors and conditions. See also Y.D. 3: 283.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle, one should give first to the local needy.
Yet, common sense should be used to benefit all needy parties as much as possible.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
Important Numbers
