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 Mishloach Manos/ |
 It is a mitzvah on the holiday of Purim (usually occurring during March) to send a gift of food (Shaloach Manos) to a fellow Jew. The gift should consist of at least two "portions" of ready-to-eat food or drink and be given on the day of Purim itself. You may therefore send cooked meats or fish, pastry goods, fruit, sweets, wine and other beverages. Usually the gift is presented in a festive bag or basket. Though one gift fulfills the mitzvah, it is the praiseworthy to send to many friends as well. Even better, is to give more gifts to the poor. Though it is generally more praiseworthy to perform mitzvos personally, Shaloach Manos is different. Since the term 'Mishloach Manos' (the sending of portions) is the term used in Megillas Esther, the proper procedure is to do so by messenger. Nevertheless, if one delivers Shaloach Manos personally, the mitzvah is still fulfilled.
 Megillas Esther, 9:22
 The mitzvah of Mishloach Manos and the giving of gifts to the poor during the days of Purim are prescribed in order to recall the communal love which Mordechai and Esther awoke among all Jews. When there is inner unity and peace among the Jewish People, even the wrongdoers among them become righteous.
 There are four mitzvos attached to the observance of Purim: the reading of the megilla itself which is done both in the evening when Purim begins and the next morning (remember, the Jewish day always starts in the evening), the giving of Shaloach Manos, the giving of Matanos L'avyonim (charity given to two poor people) and a festive meal partaken the afternoon of Purim in which wine is served (recalling the part wine played in the Purim story).
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