Digital Payments and cryptocurrency for Matanot La'evyonim

Hi, this year instead of carrying cash around with me, I would like to pay the Matanot La’evyonim using the “Bit” app. Is that okay? Do I have to physically give the money to the poor person, or can a transfer of funds be enough? And how much is the amount I need to give to fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot La’evyonim

Thank you for your question.

This is an interesting question, as until now we've always had similar questions regarding using Visa to fulfill the mitzvah, and now with regard to using the ‘Bit’ app as you asked or even crypto, the halacha may be different than with a Visa. I will explain why. First, let's examine the source of this halacha.

The mitzvat Ha’yom is to give money to two poor people on Purim. First, let's learn how much money one has to give.

The Halacha writes:

שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות מגילה ופורים סימן תרצד סעיף א

חייב כל אדם ליתן לפחות שתי מתנות לשני עניים.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of Megillah and Purim, Siman 694, Seif 1:

Every person is obligated to give at least two gifts to two poor people.

The Mishneh Berurah writes in seif katan 2, in the name of the Ritvoh, that the minimum amount one should give is a prutah (13 agurot in today's money), since this is the minimum amount that can be considered a ‘gift.’ However, HaGaon Harav Amrom Fried, shlita, writes (Azamro Lishmech Moadim, page 120) that nowadays a prutah does not have much buying power and may not be considered a gift. Therefore, according to this opinion that a prutah is enough, one should be stringent and give a shekel to each poor person.

However, Harav Fried adds that there are halachic opinions that write that the ‘gift’ to the poor person should be enough that the poor person will have significant benefit from the money (הנאה חשובה). Therefore, according to this opinion, giving from 10 to 50 shekels can be considered as giving a poor person money from which he can significantly benefit.

So, to summarize the two opinions:

1. 10 agurot, though one should be stringent and give 1 shekel.
2. 10-50 shekels.

It is important to note that one doesn’t necessarily have to give money; one can give anything that the poor person can enjoy on Purim, like food and drinks, but not clothing or other items.

Bo Ba’Yom – On Purim Day

The Mishnah Berurah (ibid) writes that one should give the money on Purim so that the poor person can enjoy it on Purim itself. This is the quote from the Mishnah Berurah:

. דלכתחלה צריך ליתן לאביון דבר הראוי ליהנות ממנו בפורים מאכל או מעות שיוכל להוציא בפורים :

So according to this, one might say that only cash on Purim should be okay. However, HaGaon Harav Amrom Fried, shlita, writes that if one does a bank transfer from his account to the poor man's account and lets him know about it, if the poor man has access to the money on Purim itself, either by withdrawing it physically or by being able to use the money with his debit card, then it would be considered as having fulfilled the Mitsvah.

Therefore, according to this, paying a poor person with a Visa or check (unless the poor person can cash the check at the bank and withdraw the money) would not be considered as having fulfilled the mitzvah of Matanot La'evyonim, since the poor person would not be able to benefit from the money on Purim itself. Although there are charity funds were one can give Matanot La'evyonim either by Visa or check, and they will lay out the money and give the equivalent that you gave in cash to the poor person on Purim.

Circling back to your question regarding transferring funds using the ‘Bit’ app, since, as I understand, it is an instant transfer and the poor person can benefit from the money right away, it would be considered a good option for sending Matanot La'evyonim to a poor person. Same too, I understand that by paying with crypto is very much like using an app, the recipient will receive it instantly in their account and be able to use the money on Purim. However, it is important to notify the recipient on Purim that you have sent the money. 

Wishing you a Purim Sa’meach.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of Megillah and Purim, Siman 694, Seif 1

Mishneh Berurah, Seif Katan 2

Azamro Lishmech Moadim, Page 120