The Mystery Behind Mishloach Manot

Though we are only in the first half of the Megillah, I thought I would expound on a concept (and give a little preview) of something we are going to hear in the last perek of the Megillah. As I was listening to the Megillah at shul last night, I was thinking about where the mitzvah of giving mishloach manot came from. Is it just a kind act, or is there some special meaning behind it?

In the last perek of Megillat Esther, it says, "Mordechai... enjoined the [Jews] to make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar.. feasting and joy, and sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor." This source spells it our pretty simply, but there is a deeper meaning behind sending mishloach manot.

One of the big and main themes of Purim is friendship and unity. In the Megillah, when Haman asked Achashverosh if he could destroy the Jews, he said, "There are a certain people who are scatted and separate." But, when Esther prayed for G-d's help to not be destroyed, she knew that the unity of the Jews was essential. In all of Esther's efforts to save the Jews, she was always telling Mordechai to gather the Jews to do things, whether it be fast or feast. Because of Esther's efforts, we saw an immense amount of unity within the Jewish people still living in Shushan. 

This story can teach us that no matter how much we, the Jews, are constantly under pressure and hatred, we must band together and fight for our lives like they did in the time of Megillat Esther. 

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A FUN FILLED PURIM!!