It's that time of year again ... Time to figure out a theme, get costumes, plan a gourmet meal, give out shalach manos to 500 of your nearest and dearest friends, and then complain you don't have money to give for tzedakah.
People have it so backwards. Matanos l'evyonim needs to come first and foremost. It's more important to give food or money to a needy person than it is to have the cutest themed shalach manos or the most unique costume ever.
IMHO, ok, cancel that, cuz my opinion is never humble, IN MY OPINION, figure out how the meal and shalach manos are costing you, and then double that. Give the same amount to matanos l'evyonim.
Sheindy, 8 years old, saw an Od Yosef Chai video today. She was explaining to me how kids go to sleep hungry. How they don't have bubble gum and other treats that we take for granted. Today I got an email from Colel Chabad about giving to the needy in Eretz Yisroel. Did you know that $54 will give a COMPLETE purim seuda to a large family in Eretz Yisroel??? FIFTY FOUR DOLLARS! I spend more than that on Shabbos and I am not a large family.
Please. Please. Give to our brethren in Eretz Yisroel this Purim.
Colel Chabad / Rabbi Meir Baal HaNais Tzedakah
OK, back to baking hamantaschen.
