Among the colors of costumes and the flavors of the mishloach manot (Purim gift basket), the mitzvah of Matanot l'evyonim, giving gifts to the poor, does not receive the glamor that characterizes the other Purim traditions.
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However, behind the act that many perform almost as an afterthought (if at all), hides the most important mitzvah of the day according to the Rambam, the one which heralds and encourages unity among the Jewish people – a much talked about subject in these difficult times – and whose nature has changed in the technological era. Especially this year, when so many people in Israel suddenly need assistance, we explored: What's the deal behind the mitzvah of Matanot l'evyonim?
"Matanot l'evyonim is one of the central mitzvot of Purim, and its purpose is to allow even those of limited financial resources to fulfill the mitzvah of se'udat Purim, the Purim feast," explains Rabbi Ben Zion Algazi, head of the Tzurba M'Rabanan institute and the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder Ramat Gan.
"The mitzvot of Purim are very social and are meant to create closeness and connection between people – because this unity brought us the victory and the miracle of Purim," says Rabbi Asaf Har-Noy, head of "Mevakshei Panecha" beit midrash, a Dayan in the "Eretz Hemdah" monetary beit din, and rabbi of the "Aderet Eliyahu" congregation. "In the Megillah, following the publication of Haman's decree, Esther says to Mordechai 'go, gather all the Jews' (Esther 4:16) – and there begins the change for the better in the story. The hakhamim wanted to anchor this principle for generations to come, and to create unity among the people of Israel through mitzvot that bring people closer and connect them."
These mitzvot include exchanging mishloach manot and the shared se'udat Purim on the holiday, which connect us to those close to us – and also the mitzvah of Matanot l'evyonim, which allows a connection to the weaker parts of the nation.
A Mitzvah that anchors an event in national memory
The source of the mitzvah is in the Book of Esther itself: "make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor" (Esther 9:22). "According to Maimonides, giving more Matanot l'evyonim is a bigger mitzvah than giving more mishloach manot," says Algazi. "In the end, the most important thing is to take care of those with limited financial resources – to open the heart and the wallet, and to show them that they are part of the people and not left behind."
How is the mitzvah done correctly? Well, "evyonim" (poor people) are defined according to the place and time in which the holiday is celebrated. If in the past it was customary to describe them in terms such as "the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow" – in our times, it refers to those who struggle to pay their rent, or purchase clothing and medicine, for example. In addition, the definition includes those who have fallen into temporary distress – such as Israeli businesses who suffer financial damage because of the war. Due to the need to enable the poor person to hold a feast, the amount of the donation given to him or her must be at least enough to cover a simple meal – namely, at least around 30 shekels (the price of a falafel meal + drink). According to Jewish law, one must donate such an amount to at least two poor people – since the mitzvah speaks of "evyonim" – which is plural – and the more the better.
An important aspect of the mitzvah is the necessity to donate "bo bayom" – meaning, on the day of the holiday itself (the 14th of Adar, or the 15th of Adar for Jerusalemites), and not before or after. "Since we want to allow the poor person to hold the se'udat Purim, we must ensure that he or she receives the money on Purim itself – so that they can enjoy the feast on that day," says Algazi.
According to Har-Noy, another reason for giving on this day is the hakhamim's desire to anchor the events of the Megillah in national memory through the customs. "The day the miracle of victory described in the Megillah happened was a special day of joy for the people of Israel," he says. "Therefore, the hakhamim anchored the holiday's mitzvahs to that day."
A new look for the ancient custom
Just as the definition of the poor has significantly changed since the days of Achashverosh, how the mitzvah is performed has also transformed. Nowadays, many donate through their shuls, others give to those who knock on their doors (hoping it is indeed a legitimate cause). Some donate directly to charities or to needy individuals they know. Moreover, in recent years, the trend of giving Matanot l'evyonim through the internet has been growing.
Thus, on the online donation platform JGive, numerous charities offer surfers various options for donating according to the mitzvah – and commit to transferring the money they raised to those in need on that very day. "Only registered charities with Certificates of Proper Management from the Registrar of Associations and section 46 from the Tax Authority – ie., only charities that are regulatorily approved in Israel – can raise funds through the site, so donors can rest assured that the donation is going to a trustworthy place," says Ori Ben Shlomo, CEO and founder of the charitable organization JGive.
Like other modern technological solutions, the option to donate Matanot l'evyonim online has led people to search and find halachic solutions to inherent challenges. A primary challenge lies in the fact that online donation requires payment by credit card – meaning that, like other credit charges, the donation amount is not deducted from the donor's bank account at the time of the donation but in the following month. "Today, most poskim agree that payment by credit card is considered payment: meaning, even if the credit card company has not yet deducted the money from me, the fact that I am obligated to it is considered as if I gave money," says Har-Noy. "Both on a halachic level and on a legal level, a transaction is made – and therefore, I have fulfilled the mitzvah."
Additionally, when money is donated via credit card, it does not reach the charity on the day the donation is made, but on the date when the credit card company transfers all the funds. However, there is also a solution to this challenge. "The charities that commit to this, use loans and down payments from various bodies or funds they have on the side to transfer money on behalf of the donors already on Purim, so that they fulfill bo bayom – thus, the moment we committed on their behalf, the donation is considered as coming from us, even if the money itself will reach the charity only later," explains Har-Noy.
"The charities, for their part, report to us that year after year, the amount of donations they receive through digital means is increasing, especially from younger audiences – but not only," says Ben Shlomo.
An opportunity to give on these days
"Many people in Israel have recently entered into financial difficulties because of the war: business owners lost many customers, residents were evacuated from their homes – and the mitzvah of Matanot l'evyonim is an opportunity to give generously," says Algazi.
"Today, when the way to win the war is through creating unity within the Jewish people, the unifying mitzvahs of Purim – and especially the mitzvah of Matanot l'evyonim – have become particularly relevant," adds Har-Noy. "I pray, hope, and ask that we take the uniqueness of this holiday – and that through the connection it brings, we will unite in these days," he concludes.