Mishlo'ach Manot & Matanot La'evyonim: Together at Once?
Can one simultaneously discharge the mitzvot of mishlo'ach manot and matanot la'evyonim by giving a poor person a generous food package on Purim?
A number of authorities address this issue, and most rule that one cannot discharge both mitzvot at once. This is due to the principle of "ain osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot" which teaches that one may not perform two mitzvot at once even if there is an opportunity to do so.[1] In other words, one may not “kill two birds with one stone.” Each and every mitzva that one performs must be done individually and with one's undivided attention.[2] In fact, the intent to perform one mitzva inherently prevents the fulfillment of a second.[3] As such, one is required to choose which mitzva one desires to perform when giving a food package to a poor person – either mishlo'ach manot or matanot la'evyonim.[4] It may not serve as both, regardless of its contents or value.
Other authorities hold that the mitzvot of Purim are somewhat of an exception to the rule of "ain osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot." It is argued that since both mishlo'ach manot and matanot la'evyonim are concurrent Purim mitzvot, they are not subject to the principle of "ain osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot."[5] There is also an opinion that the principle of "ain osin mitzvot chavilot chavilot" only applies to mitzvot that are bein adam lamakom and not to mitzvot that are bein adam l'chaveiro.[6] According to this approach, it would permissible to perform both mishlo'ach manot and matanot la'evyonim in a single food package if its content and value suffice to cover the minimum requirements of both mitzvot.
Nevertheless, most contemporary halachic authorities rule in accordance with the stricter view, and therefore one should not attempt to discharge both mitzvot at once.[7]
[2] Tosfot, Moed Katan 8b; Yerushalmi, Moed Katan 1:7.
[3] Ran, Rosh Hashana 32b.
[4] Turei Even, Megilla 7b.
[5] Rivevot Ephraim 2:193, 6:393.
[6] Rivevot Ephraim 2:193.
[7] Biur Halacha 695. For more on this issue see Emek Halacha 2:43.