Remembrance of the Half-Shekel

It is a Jewish custom to give a donation in the month of Adar in remembrance of the half-shekel. When the Temple stood, starting from the first day of Adar, all of Israel would contribute a half-shekel to fund the sacrifices for the upcoming year (beginning in Nisan). [One should be careful not to say, "This money is for the half-shekel"].

The custom is to give this donation before the Mincha prayer on the Fast of Esther, while some give it after Mincha, before the reading of the Megillah. [If one has not given by Purim, they may still contribute until the end of Adar].

The common practice is to give three half-shekel coins (specifically three such coins), and this is the practice of most Ashkenazi Jews. Some give three old half-dollar coins (which contain pure silver), purchasing them from the synagogue fund and then returning them. Since these are not legal tender in Israel, it is customary to give three modern half-shekel coins.

Others follow the custom of giving the value of the Torah’s half-shekel, which equals 9.6 grams of pure silver. This is the practice of most Jews of Sephardic and Eastern communities. However, even those who follow this custom give only three half-shekel coins for children. [The value of pure silver fluctuates; today it's about 42 shekels. The current value can be checked by calling 073-3260800 (extension 103)].

A boy under the age of 13 (before Bar Mitzvah) is not obligated to give gifts to the poor, but it is customary to give on behalf of young sons, as well as unborn children. Many also give on behalf of women and daughters.

If a father has given the half-shekel donation for his son, the son is not obligated to continue giving in subsequent years. If the donation has been given for women and daughters, it remains uncertain whether they may stop. However, if there is no concern that this has become an obligatory practice (such as when a stipulation was made in advance or if one did not intend to do so permanently and has not done so for three consecutive years), they may cease giving.

The half-shekel donation should be given to the poor or for synagogue needs.

The donation in remembrance of the half-shekel should not be given from tithe money (maaser).

Gifts to the Poor

Every Jewish man and woman is obligated to give two gifts to two poor individuals—one gift to each.

These gifts should not be given from tithe money, but if one donates beyond the required amount, the additional sum may come from tithe funds.

According to the basic law, the minimum required amount for gifts to the poor is a perutah (one may fulfill the obligation with 10 agorot). However, some authorities hold that in modern times [when a single perutah has no purchasing power], a larger sum is required. According to this view, one shekel suffices, while others argue that one must give enough for the poor person to derive meaningful benefit (between 10 and 50 shekels).

It is important that the money reaches the poor person on Purim itself. If this is not possible, one may set aside the amount for a poor person and inform them that it has been designated for them. [The person acting on behalf of the poor does not need to know exactly who will receive the funds; they need only lift the money and declare their intent to acquire it for whomever the donor wishes].

When charity collectors gather donations for the poor, the actual money given does not need to reach the recipient directly—it can be exchanged for other funds.

One may give a single banknote (such as 100 shekels) to a charity collector and state that it is for gifts to the poor on behalf of oneself and all household members [see below for the optimal method]. Likewise, one may give one banknote and specify that it is intended for two poor individuals (for example, if the collector distributes to two poor people, or if they collect for five, one may state that the money should be allocated to two of them so that each receives a significant sum).

One may also deposit money with a charity collector before Purim, so they distribute it to the poor on the holiday.

Gifts to the poor may be given in the form of money or food, but not clothing or other items.

Most halachic authorities rule that women are obligated in this mitzvah. However, there is uncertainty as to whether a husband may fulfill the obligation for his wife by adding an equivalent amount to his own contribution with the intent that it be on her behalf, or if he must formally transfer the money to her before she gives it to the poor. [The optimal practice is for the husband to give the money to a charity collector, who then lifts it on behalf of his wife before distributing it].

Halachic opinions differ on whether children of chinuch age must be trained to observe this mitzvah. However, young men who are financially dependent on their parents are nonetheless obligated to give.

Ideally, someone celebrating Purim in a walled city should give to a poor person from a similar city, and someone in an unwalled city should give to a poor person in a similar location.

Someone observing Purim on both days due to doubt (such as in cities with uncertain status or in cases of travel where obligation is unclear) must give gifts to the poor on both days.

Some authorities (such as the author of Makor Chaim) hold that gifts must be given specifically to the destitute (evyon), not merely the poor (ani). The distinction, as explained by Rashi, is that an evyon suffers more from deprivation than an ani, as they long for what they cannot obtain. However, in practice, the verse (Esther 9:22) states "gifts to the evyonim," but the term likely includes any poor person.

The halachic definition of a poor person (ani) is one who lacks a stable source of income sufficient for their basic needs. If someone does not have a guaranteed salary that will cover their essential expenses for the coming month, they are considered poor.

One may fulfill the mitzvah of gifts to the poor by donating to a yeshiva student whose parents or the institution do not provide adequately for their needs.

Gifts to the Poor through Bank Transfers

If gifts to the poor are given via check, the obligation is only fulfilled if the poor person cashes the check on Purim.

If given via bank transfer, the obligation is only fulfilled if the money reaches the recipient’s account (and is accessible for withdrawal) on Purim.

If donations are made via credit card, one does not fulfill the obligation, since the poor person does not receive the funds on Purim itself. However, some charity organizations distribute cash to the poor on Purim on behalf of donors—even for checks or credit card transactions—and in such cases, the obligation is fulfilled.