Halocho #69 – Purim gifts for your friends

One of the mitzvos of Purim is Mishlo’ach Monos; sending at least two food items to one fellow Jew. These 2 food items need to be ready to eat. For example fruit, wine, cake or cooked meat. It’s commendable to send Mishlo’ach Monos to a lot of people, but it’s even better to spend more on Matonos L’evyonim to the poor and needy. Both men and women need to send Mishlo’ach Monos. Men should send to men, women should send to women. A mourner (in the 12 months for parents or 30 days for siblings, spouse or child) also needs to send Mishlo’ach Monos. However, one does not send Mishlo’ach Monos to a mourner unless there are no other Jews around. One may give Matonos L’evyonim to a needy mourner. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Oruch 142:1, 2, 4, 7