Mishloach Manos and Matanos L’evyonim: Education and Minimum Requirements
Insights from Shulchan Menachem, Volume 3, Siman 350
In this section, the Rebbe addresses two primary themes: the age at which one begins the obligations of Purim and the technical definitions of what constitutes a "portion" (Mana).
The Obligation of Education (Chinuch)
The Rebbe emphasizes that the Purim gifts—both to friends (Mishloach Manos) and to the poor (Matanos L’evyonim)—are not reserved solely for adults. Every boy and girl who has reached the age of Mitzvos is obligated. Furthermore, children who have reached the age of Chinuch (education) should be trained to perform these Mitzvos personally.
The Rebbe adds a significant stringency: if there is a doubt whether a child has reached the age of education, one should act L'chumra (stringently) and encourage them to participate. Since these Mitzvos are relatively easy to accomplish, we should ensure that every child who is even potentially capable of understanding the concept is given the opportunity to fulfill them.
Defining a "Portion" (Mana)
When distributing packages or preparing your own, the question arises: what is the minimum size of a food item to be considered a "portion"?
The Rebbe draws a proof from the Yimei Miluim (the inauguration of the Mishkan), where the Torah refers to a specific part of a sacrifice as a "portion." From this, and the rulings of the Pri Chadash, we see that a portion does not necessarily have to be cooked; raw food or fruit is also acceptable. However, the language of the Poskim (and specifically the Rogatchover Gaon) implies that a Mana must be an item of "importance."
Practical Measures (Shiurim)
Because "importance" is subjective—varying based on the wealth and status of both the giver and the recipient—it is difficult to set a universal standard. To resolve this, the Rebbe provides practical guidelines for those preparing packages for the community:
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Volume: Ideally (L’chatchila), each of the two food items should be at least the size of a K’zayis (the volume of an olive).
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Monetary Value: Each portion should ideally be worth at least one Prutah (the smallest significant halachic coin value).
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Minimal Packages: If one is distributing a "Mishloach Manos kit" to enable others to fulfill the Mitzva, the kit should contain two distinct items, each meeting the K’zayis and Prutah standards.
In extreme circumstances (Sha’as Ha-de-chak), the Rebbe notes that if the two items together are worth at least one Prutah, the obligation may still be fulfilled, but one should strive for the higher standard to ensure the "importance" of the gift.