As we welcome Rosh Chodesh Adar in this week, this is an opportune time to discuss the mitzvah that we do on Purim of mishloach manos, sending presents to a friend. This is based on the words of the Megillah (9:19): “ומשלוח מנות איש לרעהו – sending presents from a man to his friend.” Does the word “mishloach” mean that one must actually send it with a shaliach, an emissary, or is that just a convenient way to send a package?
PREFERABLE TO USE A SHALIACH
The Aruch Laner, in his teshuvos Binyan Tzion, discusses this. He ends off that it is definitely not a requirement to send with a shaliach, but it may be preferable. The Dvar Avraham quotes others who suggest that this is actually the opinion of the Ran. The Gemara tells of two Amoraim who were very poor and were only able to fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach manos by each one giving whatever they had to the other. When the Ran quotes this story, he adds that they sent what they had to each other. This seems to imply that simply handing it over was not enough, but it was actually necessary to send it with someone else. However, the Dvar Avraham himself does not agree that this wording is a proof.
The Mahari Asad suggests that the expression of the pasuk is not a proof that a shaliach is required. Rather, it was just meant as a better way of doing the mitzvah since it adds to the prestige of the present, but not that it is a must.
The Mikor Chaim adds that sending with a shaliach is the preferred option because it adds to the pirsumei nisa, the publicizing of the miracle.
REQUIREMENT TO USE A SHALIACH
The Mishna Berurah takes this notion a step further and entertains the possibility that sending it with a shaliach is actually a requirement, and without the use of an emissary, the mitzvah is not fulfilled.
NO NEED TO USE A SHALIACH
On the other hand, the Eishel Avraham rules that the pasuk is not telling us that one must or should send the mishloach manos with a shaliach. On the contrary, doing it yourself is better, but the Torah is telling us that one is allowed to send it with a shaliach. The Salmas Chaim also understands that the point is that one is allowed to use a shaliach. He explains that usually the rule is that one should do a mitzvah himself – mitzvah bo yoser m’bshlucho. However, in this case, although one is allowed to do it himself, if he has to run around delivering the mishloach manos, he may not have enough time to fulfill the mitzvah of simcha properly. That is why the Megillah gave an allowance to send it with someone else instead. The Kaf Hachaim also rules that there is no need to send it with a shaliach, and he takes issue with the entire premise. He proves from many pesukim in Tanach that the word “mishloach” does not necessarily mean sending something with someone else.
SUMMARY OF THE OPINIONS
Some hold that sending with a shaliach is obligatory. Some say it is better to do so, and some say that it is unnecessary.
HALACHICALLY SPEAKING
Most poskim, including the Chazon Ish, the Brisker Rav, and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, rule that it is unnecessary to send mishloach manos with a shaliach.
RABBI NACHUM SCHEINER
