Mishloach Manot - Laws of Giving

Laws of Giving

The following halakhot apply to the giving of mishloach manot:

• Mishloach manot must be sent and delivered during the daylight hours of Purim.

• According to most opinions, the sender and recipient should be observing the same day of Purim.

• According to some Orthodox decisors, men should only send mishloach manot to male friends, and females to female friends, for reasons of modesty. A family may send to a man or a woman, and a man or a woman may send to a family. In the same vein, a family may send mishloach manot to another family. Children over the age of six or seven are also encouraged to send mishloach manot to their friends as training for the performance of a mitzvah.

• Mishloach manot are not sent to a mourner. The mourner himself is obligated to send mishloach manot, but the package should not be too elaborate. According to some opinions, a mourner should send to only one person.

• Mishloach manot can be delivered personally, but it is customary to deliver the food packages via a third party. Children are often involved in this mitzvah as the go-betweens between the giving parties, and are rewarded with candies and treats for their efforts.

• One is not obligated to send mishloach manot as a reciprocal gesture to the sender.

• While the halakha only calls for the giving of two food gifts to one friend, a person who gives mishloach manot to more than one person is called praiseworthy. However, it is better to give more charity on Purim day than to spend more money on elaborate mishloach manot.