Q. If one sends hard liquor as one of the manos on Purim, is that valid? A normal person can drink only a very small amount of this liquor, so perhaps it should be considered that one sent only a small amount and is not valid. Or do we say that since he can share the liquor with his family and guests, it is valid, even though each person individually is able to drink only a few drops? What should be the shiur of the mishloach manos?
A. Poskim maintain that one complies with the mitzva of Shalach Monos when sending wine to a man or woman who may not drink wine (Reyach Dudaim – Megila 7a, Nitei Gavriel ”“ Purim 57: 10, See Shevet Halevi 10: 18), since after all it is a drink that traditionally and normally people consume on Purim.
On question 737 in regards to the mitzva of drinking in Purim we wrote. “Rashi (Megila 7b) explains that the drink is wine. Biur Halocho (695: 1) quoting Eliahu Rabba, mentions that the reason why we are required to drink on Purim is to commemorate the miracles that happened and those occurred at banquets where wine was imbibed. Meagley Tzedek (on Megila L. 32) avers that therefore wine only should be used, as this was the drink offered
Mata’amei Yakov (Likutim 340) compares this to Chanuka lights where olive oil is the preferred fuel, but other flammables are also acceptable. Rivavos Efraim (O.H. 8 p. 478) also seems to suggest that wine is to be used. There are also Cabalistic reasons in the ingesting of wine (Mishnas Yosef p.111, quoting the Arizal)
Others write that since the main purpose of this mitzvah is to reach the stage of “Ad Delo Yoda”, it does not matter what beverage one consumes (Inyono Shel Yom p.375, based on the Maharal.)
Orchos Rabenu (P. 78) mentions that the Steipler Gaon zt”l ruled that all liquors could be used, however, one should drink a bit of wine also. So too is the opinion of Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a, however he recommends to drink a revi’is.”
See also question 506 in regards to giving a milchik box of chocolates as shalach monos to someone who has begun his fleishig Purim seuda, that the Rov maintains you do comply with the mitzva of Shalach Monos, since although he won’t be able to eat those chocolates himself on Purim, but it is “monos” and they could be bartered for other monos.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that preferably, one should send a bottle of wine for Shalach Monos and not hard liquor.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
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