Post date: Mar 16, 2011 3:29:11 AM
וּמִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ וּמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיֹנִים
U’mishloach munos ish l’rei’eh’hu u’matunos lu’evyonim
(9:22)
We are taught in Pirkei Avos (1:2) that the world is supported by three pillars: תורה, עבודה and גמילות חסדים (Torah, avodah/temple services and gemiloos chassudim/acts of kindness).
The Gemarah (Megillah 3b) instructs us to stop our learning of Torah and performing the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of reading Megilas Esther.
Since the importance of reading the Megillah relegates support of the world exclusively to the pillar of גמילות חסדים (Gemiloos chassudim), that pillar is reinforced with extra Mitzvos that are בין אדם לחבירו (Bein adam l’chaveiro/between man and his fellow), (ex- Matanos l’evyonim, mishloach manos and having a se’udah).
(Artscroll Purim)
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וּמִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ וּמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיֹנִים
U’mishloach munos ish l’rei’eh’hu u’matunos lu’evyonim
(9:22)
Why is there a Mitzvah of מִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת (Mishloach manos) and מַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיֹנִים (Matanos l’evyonim) specifically on Purim? What does this have to do with the miracle that took place?
Typically, Tzedaka is given in advance of an event. (ex- Maos Chittim is given well ahead of Pesach to allow the recipient ample time to purchase provisions for Yontif. The same is true for Hachnasas Kallah, etc…)
The Sefas Emes tells us that these Mitzvos of Purim are expressions of Ahavas Yisroel. The Achdus (unity) that these Mitzvos forge is what allows us to defeat our enemies. Haman told Achashveirosh “There is a nation dispersed and spread out.” His intention was clearly not to point out the geographical distance between the people. Esther attempted to counter this when she told Mordechai “Go unite all the Jews.” She knew that Achdus was a prerequisite for their salvation.
Rav Hutner explains that gifts and Tzedakah are Mitzvos unique to the day of Purim because on Purim we reaccepted the Torah, and Achdus was a prerequisite to Kabalas HaTorah. At the time of Matan Torah by Har Sinai (Shemos 19:2), the Pasuk says “וַיִּחַן שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל” (Vayichan shum Yisroel/And Yisroel camped [singular form] there), which Rashi explains to mean כאיש אחד (K’ish echad/as one person). We’re taught that the Jews reaccepted the Torah at the time of the miracle of Purim, based on the words “וְקִבֵּל הַיְּהוּדִים” (V’kibel haYehudim/and the Jews accepted [singular form], 9:23)
It’s no coincidence that in both Pesukim, the acceptance of the Torah is written in singular form. As we celebrate Purim, we attempt to recreate the Achdus (forged by these gifts) from the time of the miracle as we also reaccept the Torah.
(Living Beyond Time)