Mishloach Manot Explained: What Counts and Why It Matters

Purim is a day of joy, connection, and giving. One of its central mitzvot, mishloach manot, is practiced widely, yet its deeper purpose and practical requirements are not always fully understood. By exploring the reasons behind this mitzvah and its halachic guidelines, we can fulfill it with greater awareness and intention.

As it says in Megillat Esther (9:22): “to make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another.”

Our sages offer different explanations for the mitzvah of mishloach manot. We will share a few, so that with Hashem’s help, we can fulfill this mitzvah completely and joyfully.

Reason 1: Providing food for the Purim meal

In the responsa Terumat HaDeshen (siman 111), the following question was asked: If people send their friends clothing or bed linens on Purim, do they fulfill the obligation of mishloach manot? He answered that they do not, because the reason for mishloach manot is so that everyone will have enough food to properly prepare the Purim meal. In other words, the mitzvah is specifically to provide food for the festive meal, and other types of gifts do not fulfill the obligation.

Even according to this approach, if one sends mishloach manot to a wealthy person who already has plenty of food for the Purim meal, the mitzvah is still fulfilled, even though nothing was added to their feast. The Chatam Sofer (Orach Chaim 196) explains that this practice was instituted in order not to embarrass those who have less. There are modest people who are reluctant to ask for charity and may lack what they need for a proper Purim meal. Sending mishloach manot to everyone ensures that they too receive food in a respectful and dignified way.

Reason 2: Strengthening unity

Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, in his work Manot HaLevi, explains that the phrase “sending portions one to another” reflects the unity of the Jewish people. Just as they were united as one, each person connecting with a friend, this stands in direct contrast to Haman’s claim that there was “one nation scattered and dispersed.” Through sending mishloach manot, each person demonstrates a personal bond with another, and unity is strengthened.

Practical halachic applications

In practice, we take both explanations into account. Therefore, one does not fulfill the obligation of mishloach manot in the following cases:

• Sending something that is not food, such as cigarettes or snuff
• Sending only one type of food, even if it consists of two pieces
• Sending money as mishloach manot
• Sending mishloach manot to a child under bar mitzvah age
(However, a child old enough for chinuch should be trained in this mitzvah)
• Sending anonymously
• An Ashkenazi sending a Sephardi meat that is not glatt (chalak) according to Beit Yosef
• Sending to someone who explicitly refuses to accept it
• A married woman relying solely on her husband’s mishloach manot
(She should send her own)

Bottom line

The basic halacha of mishloach manot is as follows: one must send to a friend on Purim day, not at night, two portions consisting of two different types of food or two different cooked dishes, and have in mind at the time of giving to fulfill this precious mitzvah.

After sending one set of mishloach manot, one has fulfilled the obligation. Any additional packages are optional, and for them, these rules no longer apply. One may send even a single item or non food gifts.