There are four primary mitzvot to fulfill on the holiday of Purim. They are:
- Reading the Megillah at night and in the day
- To give two items of food to one person on Purim (mishloach manot)
- Having a feast during the day with wine and bread (seuda)
- Charity to two poor people (matanot l’evyoniim)
Nevertheless, Maimonides, in his laws on Purim (Hil’ Megillah 2:17) states beautifully how we should prioritize the day in order to achieve the true spirit of Joy of Purim:
It is better for people to increase in their gifts to the poor more than they increase in their meal and the gifts that they send to their companions, for there is no greater or more glorious joy than to bring happiness to the hearts of the poor and orphans and widows and strangers, for he who brings happiness to the hearts of these unfortunate people is compared to the Divine Presence, as it says, “To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
Maimonides is teaching that one is more blessed by giving than by receiving. A story to illustrate the point:
A young student was taking a walk with his professor who was known for his kindness. As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed belonged to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work.
The student turned to the professor, saying: “Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind bushes, and wait to see his confusion when he cannot find them.”
“My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich and can give yourself much greater pleasure this way. Put a coin into each shoe, and We watch to see how the discovery affects him.”
The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. He was absolutely astonished. He gazed upon the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then looked around him on all sides but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin. His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving thanking some unknown hand which would save his sick wife and his children who were without bread.
The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears.
“Now,” said the professor, “are you not much better pleased than if you had played your wicked trick?”
The youth replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of those words, which I never understood before:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”