Chapter 142:7
Purim Gifts and Festive Meal
7. A mourner ("ovel") is obligated to [fulfill the mitzvos of] sending
gifts to the poor ("Matanos Le'Evyonim") and sending portions of food to
friends ("Mishloach Manos") on Purim, even during the first seven days of
mourning ("shiv'ah") (1). He should not, however, send a present which is
specifically associated with joy ("Davar shel Simcha"). One should not
send "Mishloach Manos" to a mourner throughout the first twelve months of
mourning (2). This applies even to articles which are not associated with
happiness.
It is permissible to send money or articles which are not associated with
happiness to a mourner who is poor (3). If there are no Jews in one's
community besides the mourner and someone else, one can send "Mishloach
Manos" to the mourner in order to fulfill one's mitzvah (4) (The laws
applying to an onen are mentioned in Chapter 141, Law 21.)
FOOTNOTES:
(1) As we saw earlier, there is a dispute as to whether a mourner should
perform activities associated with mourning on Purim. However, all agree
that a mourner is obligated to carry out all mitzvos, even those created
by the Rabbis (such as sending "Mishloach Manos") (Mishna Berura 696:17).
(2) When one loses his father or mother, certain mourning restrictions
apply for 12 months after the burial. For the other direct relatives that
one is required to mourn over (siblings and children), the restrictions
last for thirty days. The Mishna Berura (696:21) adds that if the local
custom is to greet one who is mourning a parent during the first 12
months, one may send them "Mishloach Manos" but not something associated
with joy ("davar shel simcha"). This leniency does not apply within the
first 30 days of mourning for any of the direct relatives.
(3) This is because it is no different to giving charity (Ibid. 696:19).
(4) One must send "Mishloach Manos" to two people in order to fulfill
one's obligation
