- – Q. Dear Rabbi. I heard on a on-line shiur that one can send Shalach Manot even by a delivery service that is not a Jewish firm. Is that correct?
A. Yehuda Yaaleh (O.H. 207) rules that it is permitted since there is no real need to have a Shaliach for sending Shalach Manot. However other Poskim debate the issue.
On question 3067 we wrote:
Q. In hospitals that already use robots for carrying and delivering meals for the patients, can one place Shalach Manot to be delivered by them to the sick?
A. Chashukei Chemed (Megila 7a) quotes a story of a Rov who complained to the Satmar Rebbe zt’l, that he received Shalach Mones delivered by a child dressed as a monkey. The Rebbe replied that even if a real monkey would have delivered them, one would also comply.
He added to the wondering Rabbi, that this is also the opinion of the Chassam Sofer (Gittin 22b). Namely, that when the Torah demands that a person should do the mitzva himself, then you have to rely on a proper Shaliach or agent to carry it out in your name. However, when to begin with, the mitzva is to be done by using an agent, then even a monkey can deliver.
However, Chashukei Chemed adds that since the purpose of sending Shalach Mones, is to manifest and create friendship and affection, sending it with a monkey may have an adverse effect.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you indeed comply by sending the gift with the robot usually used, with the permission of the staff.
(Robots are preferred in some hospitals because of different reasons, including reliability and the avoidance of contamination.)
Rabbi A, Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
