It is preferable to spend more money on gifts to the poor than on one’s seudah and mishloach manos, as there is no greater joy than making the poor and less fortunate happy” (Rambam - Hilchos Purim 2:17). On Purim day, each man and woman must give to two needy people the monetary equivalent of a small meal. An ‘individual in need’ is classified as someone who is struggling to cover his day-to-day expenses. Maaser funds may not be used for the obligatory amount. One should ensure that his wife and bar/bas mitzvah children fulfill this mitzvah (one can simply ask the gabbai tzedakah to acquire the monies on behalf of his wife or child and provide it to a needy recipient on their behalf). It is proper to train one’s chinuch age children in this mitzvah, although the obligation regarding minors is a matter of dispute. Throughout the day, one should give freely to any needy individual who solicits without examining their legitimacy, just as Hashem performed the miracle of Purim without over examining our merits and deeds.
