Print this Article
By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Posek for the SHC and Rosh Kollel LINK, Los Angeles
Q: How much do I have to give for Matanot La’Evyonim?
A: Ribbi Yaakov Haim Benaim, one of the great sages of Morocco in the 18th century, in his work Zera Yaakov (§11) is the common source quoted regarding this question. Following a lengthy discussion, he finds support in the commentary of the Ran in Masechet Megila (Perek Megila Nikret) that distinguishes between Mishloah Manot and Matanot La’Evyonim, that while we need to send two items for Mishloah Manot, even one gift suffices for Matanot La’Evyonim since to a poor person that is enough to gladden him. Therefore, reasons Rabbi Benaim, that just as for Mishloah Manot we give items that are fit for a meal, so too for Matanot La’Evyonim we should give a gift that can be used toward a meal. This amount is universally accepted by the Poskim as enough to buy 150 grams of bread.
The Hida in Mahzik Beracha (§694) quotes the Zera Yaakov, and this seems to be the accepted practice. Hacham Ben Tzion Aba Shaul ztz”l in Ohr L’Tzion (Vol. IV Ch. 58), rules that although the minimum amount for Matanot La’Evyonim is a Peruta (the minimal Halachic monetary amount) as the Ritva (Megila 7) writes; nevertheless, since this amount is negligible, one should not give less than an amount that one can buy a Se’uda[1]. This is the prevalent custom. Hacham Ovadia Yosef ztz”l in Hazon Ovadia (Hilchot Purim pg. 167) also follows the Zera Yaakov (Hacham Ovadia was quoted as saying that the amount should be “enough to buy himself a Falafel”).
The Ohr L’Tzion (ibid) points out that despite the fact that one can technically fulfill the Mitzvah with a small amount, if however, the person receiving is an important person, such as a Talmid Hacham, one should be careful to give a honorable sum that would not embarrass them. If one does not have this amount of money to give, he should find another poor person that would accept this small sum.
It should be noted, that if one gives a sum to the Rabbi or another messenger to give Matanot La’Evyonim on his behalf and he gives an amount from the collective amount collected, and this indeed is a proper sum, this concern would be avoided.
Similarly, Rav Elyashiv ztz”l has been quoted many times saying that one who wishes to fulfill the Mitzvah in the most proper fashion should give an amount that is sufficient to make a poor person happy, as this is the essence of the Mitzva. This amount is relative[2]. If this is difficult for a person, Rav Elyashiv suggests that it is preferable to give two important donations than many small donations[3].
Although this is not the common practice, one who wishes to be stringent in this Mitzva is praiseworthy. As the Rambam writes (Mishne Torah, Hil. Hanuka U’Megila 2:17):
“One should rather spend more money on gifts to the poor than on his Purim banquet and presents to friends. No joy is greater and more glorious than the joy of gladdening the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows and the strangers. He who gladdens the hearts of these unhappy people imitates G-d, as it is written: I am…to revive the spirit of the humble, and to put heart into the crushed”.
Furthermore, one who gives Matanot La’Evyonim to a Talmid Hacham fulfills another very important concept of “Gadelehu MiShel Ehav” – just as there is a Mitzva to elevate a Kohen Gadol by means of financial support, so too there is a Mitzva to elevate a Talmid Hacham by ensuring that he is comfortable[4].
Q: Does the household have to know that one is giving Matanot La’Evyonim on their behalf?
A: When the head of the household gives Matanot La’Evyonim on behalf of his wife and children, the Poskim discuss whether they have to be aware that the money is given on their behalf or whether the fact that he is Mezake (benefiting) them with the Mitzva, should be enough to consider as though they have fulfilled their obligation themselves.
There are instances where one is able to give money on behalf of someone else despite the fact that they are not aware of the giver’s intentions, as the Gemara in Ketubot (98) discusses regarding the giving of the Mahatzit HaShekel for someone that one has vowed not to derive pleasure from. However, the Netivot HaMishpat (cf Teshuvat Hemdat Shelomo 32) writes that this is only with regards to the Mitzva of Shekalim, where the Mitzva is that every Jew should have a Shekel given on his account, however, a Mitzva that is incumbent on a person to do with his own body (Hovat HaGuf) such as Pidyon HaBen, cannot be fulfilled through the agency of someone else.
Subsequently, with regards to the Mitzva of Matanot La’Evyonim, where the Mitzva has to be done by one’s self, one would have to have the knowledge that the Mitzva is being done for them (see Shevut Yitzhak, Purim 8). Furthermore, Rav Elyashiv ztz”l is quoted as saying that since Matanot La’Evyonim are given from the person’s money, one has to consent to the giving, otherwise it is not considered as they have fulfilled their obligation[5].
Q: Who is considered to be a poor person?
A: Maran and the commentaries on the Shulhan Aruch (Yore De’a 253) define a poor person as one who has overbearing expenses of the basics needed to support his family, and is struggling to make ends meet without a stable salary that can cover these expenses.
If a person lives in a place where there are no poor people, one can appoint a messenger who will be in a place on Purim where there are poor people and give him some money to be distributed on Purim.
Footnotes:
[1] Cf. Shu”t Hut Shani 2:314 that this amount does not depend on the meal one is used to having, rather the standard amount it cost for a quarter of a loaf of bread.
[2] In previous years this was quoted to be 50 shekels in Israel. I would suggest $20 in America
[3] Shevut Yitzhak, Purim 8
[4] Tashbatz (Vol. 1:144) based on the Gemara in Hullin 134, cf Rashi): “צריכים לגדל תלמידי חכמים שבהם בעושר”. Ohr L’Tzion (ibid).
[5] Shevut Yitzhak (ibid).