Question:

What are some halachos of Mattanos L’Evyonim?

Discussion:

Note: Many of these halachos come from the sefer Kovetz Halachos al Purim unless otherwise noted.

The minimum amount of money one must give is one dollar to each poor person (Kovetz Halachos al Purim). Some say that one should give enough money to purchase a small meal (e.g. a bagel and a coffee).

One can fulfill this mitzvah by giving a check- providing that there is a way to get cash for it (someone will cash it for him, the bank is open or a store will accept it etc. – Halichos Shlomo 19:23).

Women are obligated in this mitzvah. A married woman may fulfill her obligation with her husband’s donation (Aruch Hashulchan 694:2 see also 695:18). Some poskim say that a married woman should give her own Mattanos L’Evyonim.  A son that is supported by his father is obligated in this mitzvah as well. However, the father may pay for it using his own funds.

One is not obligated to train his children in this mitzvah.

There is a dispute as to whether one should give a large donation to two poor people, thereby giving them a lot of simcha, or giving many people a smaller amount. The Bach (§675) says it is better to give less to more people. Rav Elyashiv shlita is quoted as saying one should give a large amount to less people.

Money which is already designated for tzeddakah may not be used for Mattanos L’Evyonim. Similarly one cannot use maser money.

Money may be given to a tzeddakah collector before Purim providing that he will distribute the money on Purim itself.

The Halacha of “we give to any one that asks for tzeddakah on Purim” only applies to individual people. This does not apply to people collecting for institutions.