Chazal tell us (Megillah 4b) that “the eyes of the poor are expectant for the time of Megillah reading.” This is when they know they will receive matanos l’evyonim. Thus, these two mitzvos always come together. We read the Megillah, and we give gifts to the poor at the same time (when the time of megillah reading is changed in Yerushalayim, the mitzvah of matanos l’evyonim changes along with it).
If we don’t read or hear the Megillah, we don’t have the proper feeling of giving unconditionally to the poor. Only after we hear the narrative in the Megillah, and we appreciate the incredible gifts—and the incredible love—that Hashem always gives us, despite our unworthiness, are we’re inspired to give to others in the same way. When we hear the Megillah and give matanos l’evyonim, it penetrates deep into our hearts, and we remember it in all aspects of our lives. A Yid must remember that on Purim—through these special mitzvos hayom—we have the opportunity to internalize this idea that we may not necessarily appreciate any other day of the year.
