Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Volume 2 Issue 10
Compiled by Moishe Dovid Lebovits
Reviewed by Rav Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita
Piskei Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita
Mishloach Manos
Reviewed by Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita
Sponsored
חנה חיה בת מזל לרפואה שלמה
לזכר נשמת מרדכי בן ר' יהודה דוב דערדיק
The Mitzvah
One is obligated to send mishloach manos on Purim to his friend etc.1 This mitzvah was introduced during
the time of Mordechai and Esther and is considered a divrei kabbalah mitzvah and not a d’oraisa.2 There are
two basic reasons for this mitzvah; The Terumas Hadeshen3 says the reason is in order that everyone should
have food for the seuda. The opinion of the Manos Ha’Levi4 is in order to promote friendship on Purim one
should give gifts to one another. The obligation is to send two items (which items will be discussed) to one
person.5 However, the poskim encourage that the more mishloach manos one sends the more fortunate he is.6
When one sends mishloach manos he should fulfill the mitzvah and satisfy both reasons.7 For example, one
who sends clothing has not satisfied both reasons, since he cannot use it for the meal (refer below). The
poskim offer different reasons as to why there is no beracha recited on the mitzvah of mishloach manos (see
footnote).8
1
Gemorah Megilla 7a -7b, Rashi “shtei,” Tur, Shulchan Aruch 695:4.
2
Achiezer 3:73.
3
Simon 111 page 89 (new), Levush 695:4.
4
2:page:317 and 320, Chasam Sofer O.C. 196, Maharam Shik O.C. 341, both reasons are quoted in many of the poskim. Refer to the
Bach 695, Levush 4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 13, Apirion page 107, Darchei Mussar page 310, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:footnote 49,
for additional reasons. There are numerous differences between the two reasons. (Refer to Zeved Tov pages 1-3 who lists 55
differences).
5
Rosh Megilla 1:7, Rif page 6, Tur, Yosef Ometz 1099:page 240, Levush 4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 13, refer to Sifsei Chachumim Megilla
page 100 (new), and Mikroei Kodesh Purim page 38:footnote 1 on why two manos. There is no concern of “soneh matanos yichyei”
by mishloach manos (Moadim V’zemanim 2:186, see Naom 11:page 188).
6
Rambam Hilchos Megillah 2:15, Levush 695:4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 15.
7
Poskim. Refer to Piskei Teshuvos 695:footnote 49.
8
Refer to Rashbah 1:18, Rambam Hilchos Berochos 11:2, Mikroei Kodesh Purim 40, Taamei Haminhagim 892, Shalmei Todah
(Purim) pages 280-281. Some say the reason is because who knows if the recipient and the sender are really friends. (Sifsei
Chachumim ibid). Some say reciting a beracha will lessen the love that is supposed to come about from sending mishloach manos
(Rivevos Ephraim 4:173:9, Moadim V’zemanim 8:188, Be’er Sarim 4:76:6, see Serdei Eish 1:61, Halichos Shlomo Moadim
19:footnote 15, Rivevos Ephraim 6:391). The Arugas Habosem O.C. 207:pages 177-177b says the reason is because we only recite a
beracha on actions that we would not do if not for the mitzvah. For example, lulav or sitting in the succah these mitzvahs we would
not perform if it not for Hashem who told us to do them. Giving presents is something everyone does all the time, therefore, it is not
recognizable that we are doing it because it is mitzvah, therefore, no beracha is recited.
1
Halachically Speaking
the mitzvah is performed.10 The reason for this leniency is because one will not forget to send the mishloach
manos, since most of the day people are busy sending him mishloach manos, therefore, he will remember to
give as well.11
Women’s Obligation
Some poskim maintain that women are not obligated in this mitzvah,14 however, most poskim say that women
are obligated to send mishloach manos.15 Women should be careful and only send to women and not to
men.16 Some poskim maintain that a woman who is sending mishloach manos may send clothing.17 Many
women are busy preparing the mishloach manos, and the men do not get involved. However, the men should
have a role in the mishloach manos as well.18 Some say it is sufficient for a husband and wife to send
mishloach manos together, thereby the mishloach manos is coming from both of them.19 A woman who is
working for a frum-male boss should say that her mishloach manos is from my husband.20
2
Halachically Speaking
What To Send?
Some say that one may send the same type of food as long as it is two separate pieces, 29 for example, one
may send two of the same type of fruits. Most poskim maintain that it has to be two separate tasting foods.30
For example, one may send a piece of meat and a cracker, etc. One is not yotzei two minim with sending an
ice cream sandwich. The reason is because sending one min with two berachos is considered one min.31 Two
different berachos are not required to be considered two different manos according to any opinion.32 One
does not have to only send food items; a drink is considered a food item as well, 33 therefore, one may send
one drink item and one food item.34 Many poskim maintain that one may not send raw food as mishloach
manos.35 Others say that raw food is permitted since one can cook the food if he wishes. 36 One may send a
frozen food since it is possible that one may defrost it.37 One may send packaged food even though it is not fit
to eat “as is,” since he has to open the package prior to eating the food. 38 Sending bread39 with a tavshil is
considered two minim.40 Some send candies or chocolate as mishloach manos.41 One should send food that
can be eaten by the seuda to at least one person.42
26
Darchei Moshe 695:7, Rama ibid, Aruch Ha’shulchan 16, Kaf Ha’chaim 50, Toras Hamoadim pages 307-308 in depth, Mekadesh
Yisroel 259. One may not send it on Shabbos in a place that has an eiruv (Rivevos Ephraim 5:455:3).
27
Rama 695: 4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 16, Natei Gavriel Purim 56:1:footnote 1 (new).
28
Mishnah Berurah 22.
29
Refer to Rambam Hilchos Megilla 2:15, Levush 4, Mekadesh Yisroel 337. The Moadim V’zemanim 8:186 maintains sending two
pieces of meat from the same min is good.
30
Aruch Ha’shulchan 14, Mekroei Kodesh Purim 38:pages 149-150, Divrei Chachumim 45:506 in the name of Horav Yaakov
Kamenetsky zt”l, Tzitz Eliezer 14:65, 15:31, Avnei Yushfei 4:83, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:footnote 20, see Elya Rabbah 9, some
say one may send two types of meat as long as they taste different (Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:12, Toras Hamoadim page
294:footnote 4 in depth). Some say a top and bottom of a chicken are considered two minim. (Meor HaShabbos 3:40:3:page
465:footnote 67, Shalmei Moed page 286).
31
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita.
32
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita.
33
Gemorah Megillah 7b, Terumas Hadesh 111, Darchei Moshe 695:7, Magen Avraham 11, Taz 4, Pri Chodesh 4, Eishel Avraham
Butchatch 4, Chai Adom 155:31, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:2, Mishnah Berurah 19, Aruch Ha’shulchan 14, Kaf Ha’chaim 35, 39,
Tzitz Eliezer 8:14:6, Yalkut Yosef pages 323-324. The drink should be a daver chashuv (Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:236:3). One may send
a lightly flavored drink (Halichos V’hanhuogs (Purim) page 26). Some say one may not send seltzer (ibid). In regard to sending
instant coffee etc. refer to Shalmei Todah (Purim) page 302.
34
Refer to Piskei Teshuvos 695:footnote 61.
35
Magen Avraham 11, Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham 11, Be’er Heitiv 7, Pri Chodesh 4, Elya Rabbah 9, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
142:2, Mekor Chaim, Chai Adom 155:31, Sdei Chemed Purim 6:page 428, Aruch Ha’shulchan 15, 17, Kaf Ha’chaim 35, Yechaveh
Da’as 6:45, Yalkut Yosef page 318, Moadim V’zemanim 2:186, 188, Avnei Yushfei 1:133:5.
36
Refer to Pri Megadim M.Z 4, Mishnah Berurah 19, Toras Hamodaim page 287.
37
Rivevos Ephraim 6:397.
38
Refer to Moadim V’zemanim 2:186, Toras Hamoadim 2:186, Yalkut Yosef page 321.
39
Moadim V’zemanim 8:page 109.
40
Kaf Ha’chaim 695:42, Toras Hamoadim page 300:footnote 7.
41
Kaf Ha’chaim 48, Toras Hamoadim page 300, Yalkut Yosef page 331, V’yalu Lo Yuvol 1:page 250:438, see Chai Adom 155:31,
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:2.
42
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita.
3
Halachically Speaking
Non-Food Items
One who sends non-food items as mishloach manos was not yotzei his obligation of mishloach manos.43 A
person may not send a sefer as mishloach manos.44 Money may not be sent either.45 Some poskim say that one
may send non-food items,46 however, this does not seem to be the custom.
The Shiur
There is a certain amount of uncertainty as to exactly what the shiur of mishloach manos is.47 Some say that
the food sent should consist of 6-7 oz. of food,48 while others maintain one should send the amount of food he
would serve his own guest.49 The poskim stress that an important size (daver chashuv) should be given.50 One
may send a candy tray since it is different minim.51 The minhag seems to be to send cake and chocolate as
mishloach manos.52
43
Ran Megillah page 6 “u’mishloach, Terumas Hadeshen ibid, Darchei Moshe 695:7, Shulchan Aruch 695:4, Taz 4, Turei E’ven
Megillah page 43 (new), Mishnah Berurah 19, Kaf Ha’chaim 35, Sredei Aish 1:60, Yechaveh Da’as 6:45, Mekadesh Yisroel 232,
Tzitz Eliezer 9:33:3, Yalkut Yosef page 321.
44
Rivevos Ephraim 3:471:2, Yalkut Yosef page 321, Toras Hamoadim page 291, see Shraga Hameir 3:113, Natei Gavriel Purim pages
582-585. Refer to Noam 10:pages 282-283 who is lenient if one sent two seforim.
45
Da’as Torah 695:4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 17, Toras Hamoadim page 291:footnote 3, Shalmei Todah (Purim) pages 299-300, see
Halachos Ketanos 2:163:page 64 and the Be’er Heitiv 7 who seem to be lenient.
46
Be’er Heitiv 7, Piskei Teshuvos 695:17.
47
Refer to Ritvah Megilla, Rabbeinu Chananal Megillah ibid, Pri Megadim M.Z. 4, Eishel Avraham Butchatch 2, Birchei Yosef 695:4.
48
Machzik Beracha 694:2, Sharei Teshuva 694:1, Natei Gavriel Puirm page 48:3 (new)
49
Refer to Aruch Ha’shulchan 695:15.
50
Yerushalmi Megillah 1:4, Ritvah (Kook) footnote 658, Yosef Ometz ibid, Sifsei Chachumim ibid, Chai Adom ibid, Birchei Yosef
695:4, Aruch Ha’shulchan 15, Birchei Yosef ibid, Sdei Chemed Purim 8:page 429, Kaf Ha’chaim 34, 40, Tzitz Eliezer 8:14, 14:65,
Rivevos Ephraim 3:468:1, Avnei Yushfei 1:134:3, Moadim V’ezmanim 6:107, Shalmei Moed page 285, Toras Hamoadim page 304,
Mekadesh Yisroel 238, Doleh U’mashka page 249, V’yalu Lo Yuvol 1:page 250:438. See Teshuvos V’hanhugos (2:354) who asks why
people are not concerned and give food that is not chashuv.
51
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Mekadesh Yisroel 240, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:236:2.
52
Many poskim are of the opinion that a person should give according to their wealth. (Ran ibid, Biur Halacha “chayiv,” Teshuvos
V’hanhugos 3:237, Tzitz Eliezer 8:14:3-4, Yalkut Yosef page 328, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:fotnote 19).
53
Refer to Chuchmas Shlomo, Kinyan Torah 7:55:5, Toras Hamoadim pages 303-303, V’yalu Lo Yuvol 1:page 248:435, Noam
10:pages 278-281, Shalmei Moed ibid, Yemey HaPurim page 79. See Rivevos Ephraim 1:459:3 if one eats glatt kosher meat and sends
to someone non-glatt meat.
54
Kinyan Torah ibid, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:11, Shalmei Moed page 286, Piskei Teshuvos 695:footnote 105, Nishmas Avraham
694:1, Shalmei Todah (Purim) page 303. If one is fleshig and he receives milk was the sender yotzei his obligation (Refer to Rivevos
Ephraim 6:397). In regard to sending to a sick person who cannot eat refer to Mekroei Kodesh Purim 38, Kinyan Torah 3:103, Rivevos
Ephraim 2:189:9, 6:398, Be’er Sarim 2:23. In regard to sending food that was found to be treif refer to ChelkesYaakov 1:233.
4
Halachically Speaking
The custom is that the two manos may be given in one utensil and it is still considered giving two manos.55
Initially, one should give both manos at the same time; 56 others maintain that if one gave them one after the
other it is fine.57
Do You Need A Messenger?
Some poskim maintain that one should only send the mishloach manos with a shliach- messenger.58 Most
poskim maintain that one does not have to send it with a shliach, and one may deliver it by himself. 59
Nonetheless, one should send at least one set of mishloach manos with a messenger to go in accordance with
all opinions.60 One may send the mishloach manos through a young child or a goy.61 Some say the reason
why the mishloach manos recipient gives money to the young child when he delivers the mishloach manos is
because this way the sender is assured that the child accomplished his shlichos.62
5
Halachically Speaking
A Mourner- A mourner has an obligation to send mishloach manos on Purim like everyone else.71 A mourner
who is within the year for his or her parents or a mourner who is within the shloshim of other relatives may
not receive mishloach manos.72 One may send mishloach manos to a mourner’s wife.73 A Rav who is a
mourner may still accept money on Purim which is usually given to him as an expression of hakaras hatov.74
Some poskim maintain that the Rav should not be given food.75 If one’s parent is a mourner, one may send
them mishloach manos anyway.76
Different Scenarios
Sent It But Got Lost Or Stolen – if one sent mishloach manos and it was lost or stolen one was not yotzei
and he must send it again.81 It Was Sent Before Purim- according to some poskim if one sent mishloach
manos before Purim and it was received on Purim one has fulfilled his obligation,82 while others maintain
that one was not yotzei.83 The Recipient Is Mochel- if for some reason the recipient says he does not want
71
Shulchan Aruch 696:6, Aruch Ha’shulchan 8, see Toras Hamoadim pages 279-281. The Magen Avraham 11 says the mourner
should not send objects which bring happiness. (Refer to Mishnah Berurah 19). The custom of the Sefardim is to give mishloach
manos to a mourner (refer to Toras Hamoadim pages 279). Refer to Halichos Olom 1:page 237:13.
72
Rama 6, Mishnah Berurah 20, Aruch Ha’shulchan 8-9, see Natei Gavriel Purim pages 543-547 in depth. If one sent it to a mourner,
the mourner does not have to reciprocate. (Kesav Sofer 141:page 130b (old), Natei Gavriel Aveilus 2:35:9:footnote 19 old).
73
Pnei Boruch 29:footnote 71 quoting the opinion of Horav Elyashiv Shlita. Some say this is only permitted if the sender is a woman
who is the friend of the mourners wife, if not it looks like a trick is being done in order to give mishloach manos to the mourner.
(Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:692).
74
Divrei Malkiel 5:237, Mivakshei Torah 3:page 187.
75
Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:692.
76
Shevet Ha’kehusi 4:188, Natei Gavriel Aveilus 2:23:10:footnote 20 (old).
77
Refer to Gemorah Megilla 7b, Rashi “machlifo,” Maharsha, Rif ibid, Rambam Hilchos Megilla 2:15, Tur, Bais Yosef, Shulchan
Aruch ibid, see Taz 5, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 2:356, Minchas Yitzchok 6:79. The Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:16 says that bochurim
eating a meal in Yeshiva may give their meal to each other and each one is yotzei his obligation of mishloach manos. However, he
adds (footnote 49) that it has to be recognizable that the food was the senders before the sender sent it. (Refer to Shalmei Moed page
285).
78
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita
79
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita.
80
Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:406, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 19:14:footnote 22, Shalmei Todah (Purim) pages 278-280. This is even if
one did not pay for it yet (Shalmei Moed page 286).
81
Aruch Ha’shulchan 16, Kaf Ha’chaim 43,45, Toras Hamoadim page 310, Mekadesh Yisroel 246, Yalkut Yosef page 337, Divrei
Shalom 6:172:page 290. See Eishel Avraham Butchatch 4, Rivevos Ephraim 7:212, Sdei Chemed Purim 6:pages 428-429, Birchei
Yosef 695:6. Refer to Be’er Sarim 4:77.
82
Refer to Torah L’shma 188, Yehuda Yaleh 207, Mikroei Kodesh Purim 45, Yechaveh Da’as 4:40, Toras Hamoadim pages 307-308,
Shraga Hameir 3:112. If it was received before Purim some say one is yotzei if he does not eat it, and he has in mind not to be koneh it
until tomorrow (Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham 13, Avnei Yushfei 1:134:1).
83
Aruch Ha’shulchan 17, Chelkes Yaakov 1:102, Levushei Mordechai 1:108.
6
Halachically Speaking
the mishloach manos, the sender was not yotzei in his obligation.84 Sent It Without A Name- if one sends
mishloach manos and his name was not written on the package he was not yotzei his obligation.85 Left It By
The Door- it is very common for people to leave mishloach manos at the door when none is home. In this
situation if the recipient plans on coming home before nightfall, the sender has fulfilled his obligation. 86 If
One’s Wife Accepted The Mishloach Manos- in a situation where one’s wife accepted the mishloach
manos on behalf of her husband the sender is only yotzei if the wife tells her husband that he received
mishloach manos from this and this person.87 (In all the above situations we are discussing if one is only
sending mishloach manos to one person).88
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84
Korbon Nesanel Megilla 1:9, Darchei Moshe 695:7, Pri Chodesh 4, Chasam Sofer O.C. 196, Mishnah Berurah 24, Yalkut Yosef
page 336, Mekadesh Yisroel 268, See Rama 695:4, Maharam Shik 341, Bais Shearim 380, Aruch Ha’shulchan 16, Toras Hamoadim
page 315 who are lenient.
85
Rivevos Ephraim 4:176, 6:391, Mekadesh Yisroel 244, Avnei Yushfei 1:134:2, Toras Hamoadim page 314:footntote 18, see Kesav
Sofer 141:2, Bais Avi 4:40, Doleh U’mashka page 250. One should always find out who sent the mishloach manos. (Shalmei Moed
pages 283-284).
86
Refer to Aruch Ha’shulchan 16, Moadim V’zemanim 2:186, Mekadesh Yisroel 243.
87
Aruch Ha’shulchan 16,
88
Refer to Yalkut Yosef page 331. In regard to a lender sending mishloach manos to the one he borrowed money from refer to
Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 160:6-7, Mishnas Ribbis 3:footnote 18, Mishpat Ribbis page 44, Parshas Ribbis 3:13, Bris Yehuda (Ikar Dinnim)
10:footnote 72, Yemey HaPurim page 80.
7
Halachically Speaking
8