Matanot La'evyonim and Mishlo'ach Manot
Question
Can one simultaneously discharge the mitzvot of mishlo’ach manot and matanot la’evyonim by giving a poor person a generous food package on Purim?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
A number of authorities address this issue, and most rule that one cannot discharge both mitzvot at once. This is due to the principle of “ ein osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot ,” which teaches that one may not perform two mitzvot at once, even if there is an opportunity to do so. In other words, one may not “kill two birds with one stone.”
Each and every mitzva that one performs must be done individually and with one’s undivided attention. In fact, the intent to perform one mitzva inherently prevents the fulfillment of a second. One is therefore required to choose which mitzva one desires to perform when giving a food package to a poor person – either mishlo’ach manot or matanot la’evyonim . It may not serve as both, regardless of its contents or value.
Interestingly, however, is that some hold that the mitzvot of Purim are something of an exception to the rule of “ ein osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot .” It is argued that since both mishlo’ach manot and matanot la’evyonim are concurrent Purim mitzvot, they are not subject to this principle. There is also an opinion that the principle of “ ein osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot ” only applies to mitzvot that are bein adam la’Makom and not to mitzvot that are bein adam l’chaveiro . According to this approach, it would be permissible to perform both mishlo’ach manot and matanot la’evyonim in a single food package if its content and value suffice to cover the minimum requirements of both mitzvot.
Nevertheless, we rule in accordance with the stricter view, and therefore one should not attempt to discharge both mitzvot at once, However, one can give a Mishloach Manot to a poor person and intend that half should be as Mishloach manot and half as Matanot la'evyonim.
Source
Ketav Sofer
, OC 159; Tosafot,
Mo’ed Katan 8b; Yerushalmi Mo’ed Katan 1:7; Ran, Rosh Hashana 32b;
Turei
Even
, Megilla 7b;
Biur Halacha
695