18 March 2005 (Friday)
two, two, two mitzvot in one
There are four mitzvot (commandments) associated with Purim, which occurs next Thursday night/Friday. We are supposed to: hear or read Megillat Esther; eat a celebratory meal; send gifts of food to friends; and give charity to the poor. Alisha has a wonderful way to help you fulfill the spirit of the third and fourth items on that list:*
[The Terror Victims Association/Almagor] helps victims and their families...was founded by and continues to be largely supported by the efforts of victims and their families....For Purim, TVA is sending mishlochei manot to families in their care. They have produced very nice cards which, upon sponsorship of one such basket ($20), one may send to a friend in lieu of or in addition to actual mishloach manot.
Go buy a card (or three) from her!
* This sentence originally read: "Alisha has a wonderful way to help you fulfill the fourth mitzvah on that list while also acting in the spirit of the third." Based on the comments, I felt the need to correct my original post.
Even though your gift results in mishloach manot being sent to a family, I'm not 100% sure it fulfills both mitzvot simultaneously, or either one at all. Yes, that makes the title of this post misleading. Sue me. I believe we've already established (in the comments) that this does not fulfill the fourth mitzvah. Now, does anyone know if this fulfills the third mitzvah (mishloach manot)?
Thank, Shanna. To clarify your footnote, at least from my own perspective,I'm not sure I would classify this as "giving charity to the poor" in the sense that matanot la'evyonim is meant. These families are not necessarily in dire financial straits, but in emotional distress. The gifts of food -- mishloach manot -- may certainly provide them with good edibles for a few days, and it's possible that they're needed in that tangible sense, but I think more of the idea is to signify support and to help them celebrate the holiday even though they mourn. In other words, we're giving some of our mishloach manot out to them instead of our own friends, who get the card instead. I may be wrong, though -- both components may be just as present in the concept.
Alisha, you instinct is correct. There are halachic requirements for fulfilling the obligation of Matonos Le'evyonim. It must be given to someone who is poor. Fortunately, you can fulfill this requirement with a relativly small gift. Any additional chessed you do, such as the worthy cause you have mentioned, will of course be a wonderful mitzvah but not fulfill this particular obligation.
Sorry, Shana but I just can't fight with you on this one. Maybe your next Daf Yomi post will start a brouhaha.
Actually, you are fighting me on this one, since I originally stated that this would fulfill the fourth mitzvah (giving to the poor). Which it does not. Which means I am wrong. (But it's still a nice thing to do.)
Now go start a daf yomi fight!
OK, so to add to my explanation of the core purpose of this endeavor, here is a description of TVA's holiday projects excerpted from their website:
The Jewish Holidays are sensitive times for families of terror victims when they feel most deeply that their loved one is missing. Every holiday we try to organize something for the families. Our events give the victims and their families something to look forward to. Over the High Holidays, food packages were sent to over 400 families. This Chanukah we organized a full day trip and a dinner in a hotel for 250 people with entertainment. This year's Tu B'Shevat family gathering will include tree planting for over 200 children. During Purim we send Mishloach Manot to families costing us 100 shekels per family including delivery and organization. This year it will cost us $10,000.00 to send the traditional Purim gifts.
I'll post it on my own blog later - can't do it from work.
-=-
Also, yes, I'm pretty sure it directly fulfills the third mitzvah, as mishloach manot that you have paid for are being delivered to people on the day of Purim.
