ומשלוח מנות איש לרעהו
“And of sending portions one to the other.” (Esther 9:22)
Why did Mordechai institute specifically the mitzvah of mishlo’ach manos as a way to celebrate the miracle of Purim?
The Manas HaLevi explains: Haman derided the Jewish people, by telling Achashveirosh that though they were only one nation among many nations, they were:מפוזר ומפורד בין העמים – “in total disharmony among themselves”. They lacked love and compassion for their fellow Jews. To counteract this claim, Esther said to Mordechai:לך כנוס את כל היהודים - “Go gather together all the Jews” (4:16), and stress to them the importance of unity and ahavas Yisroel.
Since the decree was caused by Haman’s allegation that there was disunity among the Jewish people, Mordechai instituted that on Purim we should exchange edibles with friends to demonstrate our unity and love for one another.
Alternatively, the Terumas HaDeshen (111) and Levush (695) explain, the reason for mishlo’ach manos is to ensure that everyone has a sufficient amount of food for their meal and that they are able to properly rejoice on Purim.
According to the first reason, mishlo’ach manos was instituted for the benefit of the giver, and according to the latter view, it was instituted for the benefit of the recipient.
A halachic difference between the two views pertains to the question of whether one fulfills the mitzvah of mishlo’ach manos when the recipient refuses to accept it. If the purpose of the mitzvah is to demonstrate the unity and love that the giver has for his fellow, then he has fulfilled the mitzvah. However, if it is for the benefit of the recipient, to enhance his simchas Purim, then the mitzvah has not been fulfilled. Even if it is for the latter reason, mishlo’ach manos is sent even to those who are blessed with affluence in order not to cause any embarrassment to those who are lacking by singling them out. (See Shu”t Chasam Sofer, Orach Chaim 196)
Mishloach Manos: A Celebration of רעהו
Rav Meir Yechiel of Ostrovtza offers a novel reason for the mitzvah of mishloach manos. The Gemara in Megillah tells us that the Jews violated the aveirah of avodah zorah. However, the reason they were ultimately saved from destruction was that they bowed down only outwardly. They appeared to be worshipping the idol, but in their minds and hearts they remained loyal to the Ribbono Shel Olam. Their emunah in Hashem never wavered.
Since they served avodah zorah only in appearance but without intent, Hashem responded by outwardly appearing to want to destroy them but never truly intending to do so.
Each person who bowed to the idol knew that he only pretended to serve avodah zorah. However, the Jews had no way of knowing if their neighbours and friend were likewise pretending. Perhaps their friends could no longer be considered רעהו, their halachic friends. If they had genuinely committed idolatry they would no longer be considered within the category of רעהו.
When Haman’s evil decree was abolished and the lives of Klal Yisroel were saved, they understood that everyone had been pretending. For the entire nation to have been worthy of the miraculous salvation, they must have all just been putting on a show when they bowed to the idol.
The salvation demonstrated unequivocally that all their friends and community members were in fact still considered רעהו, and we celebrate this by sending mishloach manos איש לרעהו.
Cited in R’ Glatstein’s sefer “The Concealed and Revealed” pg. 400.
When there is suspicion that someone has fallen prey to the sin of idol worship, it is prohibited to partake of his food. If he may have transgressed avodah zorah, then one cannot rely on his observance in the laws of kashrus.
Until Klal Yisroel were saved, no one knew for certain that his neighbour had not earnestly bowed to down to the idol, so they could not partake of another’s food. This uncertainty changed once we were miraculously saved, when they realized that no one was guilty of idolatry. As such, we are able to partake of our friends’ food.
The mitzvah of mishloach manos is the ultimate confirmation of the innocence of the Jewish people. It is a declaration of our belief in the righteousness, loyalty, and reliability of all our friends and neighbours. The giving of mishloach manos proclaims ועמך כלם צדיקים – “All our people are righteous”.
