Mishloach Manot

Why do we give Mishloach Manot?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The source for giving Mishloach Manot is in the Megilla where it says, “Therefore the Jews of the villages, who dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and holiday, and of sending portions of food to one another.” We learn from here that it is a mitzva for every Jew to give (at least) two gifts of food to (at least) one fellow Jew on the day of Purim.

Here are some of the reasons for this mitzva that are found in the commentaries:

1. It is intended to remind us of thee unity we experienced at the time of Purim which was the “antidote” to the accusation that the Jewish people are “a nation that is scattered and divided.”

2. It is explained that the decree of Haman to destroy the Jewish people was a punishment for their sin of bowing to the statue of Nevuchadnetzar and for participating in the feast of Achashverosh which was an immodest gathering. Since these sins were done in public, the severity of each sin was “double” as everyone also sinned by not rebuking their fellow Jews. The two portions represent repentance form the two sins.

3. To ensure that every Jew would have food for their Purim feast.

4. To increase love and friendship between Jews. Many people use the mitzva of Mishloach Manot as an opportunity to repair broken relationships by sending gifts of food to people with whom one has bad dealings.