Q&A: A Mourner and Mishloach Manot
A Mourner and Mishloach Manot
Question
Is it permitted nowadays to send mishloach manot to a mourner? Abundance is common, and it doesn’t seem that this is any more a “greeting” than any other kind of greeting. It just isn’t natural not to send one anymore.
Another question: the Mishnah Berurah brings from Sefer Hasidim that a mourner should not send “luxury treats.” Is that accepted by the halakhic decisors? Do sweets count as that? Nowadays it’s not such a special indulgence, although people still do find comfort in eating them.
Answer
I don’t understand why, when abundance is common, mishloach manot is not like asking after someone’s welfare.
I don’t see why a mourner should be forbidden to send whatever he wants.
Discussion on Answer
What does the Rabbi think?
Possible. I don’t see a sharp line here. Each case depends on its own circumstances, and even in a specific case there is not necessarily a clear-cut answer. Obviously, if there is doubt one may be lenient, since this is at most a doubt concerning a rabbinic prohibition, whereas on the other side there is a rabbinic commandment.
Thank you very much.
What I meant was that “sending mishloach manot to neighbors” is an expected thing to do nowadays (because of the abundance).
For example, I saw in the responsa Divrei Malkiel that a mourner is permitted to send portions to his rabbi because it is considered “repaying a debt.” In relation to other binding social norms too, one could say that they define mishloach manot as “repaying a debt.” Just as there is an obligation toward one’s rabbi, there is an obligation toward a friend.