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It is a positive rabbinical commandment to give two gifts for two needy people on Purim, one gift to each person. Even a poor person who himself subsists on charity is obligated in this requirement.

This obligation can be fulfilled through any type of gift: money, food, drink, or clothing. Optimally, the gift should be substantial. If the gift is money, the amount should enable the poor person to purchase bread sufficient for at least one meal. At the very least, each gift must be worth at least a perutah (monetary value of a quarter).

The gifts should be given during the day of Purim rather than at night. It is proper to give them after the reading of the Megillah. One should not give these gifts from money which has been set aside for donating to charity. However, one may add a small amount to the money which was set aside and then give the larger amount to the poor so as to fulfill the obligation. Money which one has designated for giving to the poor on Purim may not be given to another charity.

The obligation of giving gifts to the poor on Purim does not free a person from his general obligation to give charity. Even poor people are required to give charity at least once a year aside from their obligation to give gifts to the poor on Purim.

These gifts should be given early enough so that the poor person can benefit from them on Purim and for the festive Purim meal. However, the recipient may use these gifts in any way that he sees fit.

The gifts should not be given before Purim, lest the poor person use them beforehand, in which case the donor will not have fulfilled his obligation.

We do not attempt to determine whether the recipient is indeed poor, whoever stretches out his hand is to be given a gift. If there are no poor people in his community, the gifts which one usually gives should be set aside until he has an opportunity to give them to the poor.

We should spend at least as much on Matanos L’Evyonim, Gifts for the Needy, as we spend on our Purim Seudah and Mishloach Manos.

In light of all of the above complicated laws it is recommended to make the rabbi of the shul your agent to fulfill this mitzvah properly. I am available to accept your donations for this great opportunity, and will faithfully deliver the money to the appropriate people on Purim on your behalf. You may come to my home: 7119 Bremerton Ct., Dallas 75252 to appoint me as your agent to deliver your Matanos L’Evyonim on Purim. — Rabbi Yaakov Rich

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Shabbos Schedule Beshalach 5780

Shabbaton this Shabbos is generously sponsored by Josh & Lisa Rothstein.

Kiddush this Shabbos is sponsored by the Board of CTC in honor of Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe.

Shalosh Seudos this Shabbos is sponsored by Ehoud & Shoshana Wilson for a Refuah Shelaim for their son, Itay ben Shoshana.

Please contact Rabbi Yaakov Rich at 972-835-6016 if you are interested in sponsoring kiddush or shalosh seudos in the future.

>> Shabbos Bulletin, Parshas Beshalach, Feb-7-2020Download
  • Shabbos Schedule
  • Friday Night, February 7th
    • Mincha/Maariv–5:50p
    • Shabbos Candle Lighting–5:47p
    • Oneg Shabbos at the Rich home, 7119 Bremerton Ct., Dallas 75252, 9 PM with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Reflections of a Grandson: Stories, Anecdotes, and Lessons of My Grandfather, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe zt”l (for men & women). Sponsored by Ben & Lauren Nise for $250
  • Shabbos Day, February 8th
    • Shacharis–8:30a
    • 11:30 AM speech following Kiddush with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe. Prayer: Discovering and Harnessing Your Superpower (for men & women) Sponsorship Available (Your Name/Dedication Here) $250
    • Mincha/Shalosh Seudos for men & women–5:30p
    • Speech at Shalosh Seudos. Bread of Angels: Absorbing and Digesting the Lessons of the Manna. (for men & women) Sponsorship Available (Your Name/Dedication Here) $250
    • Maariv/Shabbos Ends–6:49p
    • Melava Malka 8:30 PM at the home of Josh & Lisa Rothstein, 7108 Bremerton Ct., Dallas, 75252: Birthing an Empire of Torah in the Holy Land: The Chazon Ish and the Founding of the Israeli Yeshiva World Sponsorship Available (Your Name/Dedication Here) $250
  • Weekday Schedule
    • Sunday Shacharis–8:00a
    • Weekday Maariv–8:15p
    • Weekday Shacharis–6:40a