The Megillat Esther Outlines a Beautiful Mitzvah
“…as the days when the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month that was reversed for them from grief to joy and from mourning to a festive day-to make them days of feasting and joy, and sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” – Megillat Esther 9:22
When we ran our discount store cum thrift store (never quite worked out what to call it), from time to time people donated dry food goods. As it got closer to the month of Adar, we decided to use these items together with the teaching quote above to put together Mishloach Manot for needy Yidden in our area. Each package included dried food e.g. pasta, biscuits or crackers, canned food and similar food items.
We managed to put together about 21 packages, each of which was photographed and uploaded to our website and blog. Here is an example of some of the Mishloach Manot as they were being prepared to distribute.
We had various different containers. Some were useful turquoise bowls, suitable for washing vegetables and the like in the kitchen. The containers were filled with a bottle of grape juice, a packet of roasted pasta, a packet of pasta shells, a packet of dried beans, a tin of mixed vegetables, a tin of apple puree, 2 tins of tuna, a packet of barley, a tub of raisins and some igloos (ice lollies). The bowls were wrapped in clear plastic and tied with a bow of ribbon. Later we added some butterflies or other decorations for fun and an envelope with Dmei Purim – Matanot le’Evyonim (money to be distributed to the poor on Purim).
The food items are of a Heksher that is Mehadrin standard and care was taken that they were all given to needy families.
This year we have a variation on this theme. The video below explains what we are now doing!
We hope that the video will inspire you to join us. Please keep in mind that Israel has one of the highest poverty rates in developed countries. Since it is a mitzvah to assist those in need on Purim, please be generous in purchasing as many Mishloach Manot as you can (or parts thereof). Since the gifts go to assist the poor, you can use your Maaser money or Tzeddakah if you prefer or need to. A percentage of the proceeds goes to assist us to improve our service to empower widows and orphans here in Jerusalem. Our first goal is to be able to sell enough Mishloach Manot to give work to orphans in our area through packaging, delivery and more.
Please sign up for our newsletter and share the link to our Mishloach Manot with your friends. Thank you for your kindness and for helping to bring Joy to those who need it in the Holy City of Jerusalem.