24 Feb KASHRUS QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT

What are the guidelines for
mishloach manot?
Both men and women are required
to fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach
manot. One must send two different portions of
food or drink to at least one other Jew. The foods
should be ready to eat items (e.g. not raw chicken,
meat or fish) that one would typically serve at the
Purim seudah. The items need not be foods with
different berachot.
For example, one may send as mishloach manot an apple and an orange.
While there is no specific size or value for what constitutes a portion, some
authorities maintain that the portions must be considered important by
the receiver. Therefore, one should not send a wealthy person a portion
that he would consider inferior. It is proper to send “shalach” manos (a
common slang usage), as the name implies via a messenger.

What are the restrictions for an
aveil (one who is in their year of
mourning the loss of a parent
or thirty days of mourning the
loss of other close relatives)
regarding sending and receiving
mishloach manot?
Everyone is obligated to fulfill the mitzvah
of mishloach manot, including one who is in
mourning. However, because these gift baskets
are associated with an extra happiness, which is
an unfitting display for one who is in mourning,
the mishloach manot should be scaled back to the minimum. The mourner should
send only one package of mishloach manot, and it should contain simple foods that do
not give the appearance of a celebration. Additional mishloach manot can be sent by
the family without designating the aveil specifically.
Likewise, it is considered improper to send mishloach manot to a mourner. Instead
one should address the mishloach manot to the family. However, some permit sending
mishloach manot to a rebbi or teacher who is in mourning, since in this case the gift
is viewed more like a payment or a tip. If mourners did receive mishloach manot, they
may accept the gift.