AFYE/B'EZRI & PURIM MESHULASH

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How AFYE/B'ezri Distributes Matanos L’Evyonim on Purim Meshulash

Generally, most cities in Eretz Yisrael celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar.  In Yerushalayim and other walled cities, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar (Shushan Purim). Money that is collected around the world before Purim and up until Purim morning is distributed on the 14th in cities all over Israel that are celebrating Purim that day. Money that is donated after approximately 9:00am EST on the day of Purim can no longer be given out in Israel on the 14th as it is nighttime in Israel. This money is distributed the next day in Yerushalayim.

This year, known as Purim Meshulash, the money cannot be given out on the 15th in Yerushalayim. Since the 15th is Shabbos, the  Shulchan Aruch says that  Matanos L’Evyonim is given out on Friday, the 14th, even in Yerushalayim. Therefore it is preferable for someone who is giving  Matanos L’Evyonim through American Friends of Yad Eliezer/B'ezri to give it before 9:00am EST on Purim day. This way we can make sure that his money will be distributed on that day. After 9:00am he should give it to a local organization, gabbai tzedakah, or ani to make sure that he is fulfilling his mitzvah properly. If one did give his money after 9:00 am EST through American Friends of Yad Eliezer/B'ezri, that money will be distributed in Yerushalayim on Sunday. Since the Seudas Purim is on Sunday, and according to many Poskim the idea of  Matanos L’Evyonim is to enable one to celebrate his Seudah properly, one can fulfill his Mitzvah by distributing it on Sunday as well.

One other point: American Friends of Yad Eliezer/B'ezri is careful that the money should only be received by the recipient in the afternoon of Purim and not in the morning. A person only fulfills his mitzvah of Matanos L’Evyonim on Purim day. We wait until after daybreak (Alos Hashachar) in NY to distribute the money. Much of the money is distributed even later, so those that live in the Midwest or Western States will also have their tzedaka distributed after daybreak of their locale.