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Another mitzva of Purim day is for each and every Jew to send two portions of food to someone else. This is called mishlo’aĥ manot (or shalaĥ manos in Yiddish). The purpose is to increase good feeling, which naturally happens when someone eats good, tasty food received from a friend. The more people one gives mishlo’aĥ manot to, the better.
Two different food items must be given. For example, bread and meat, fish and eggs, or cake and apples. Two types of cake may be sent, or two portions of meat with different flavors (such as cooked meat and roasted meat). A bottle of a noteworthy drink, such as wine, beer, or juice, is considered a portion of food for this purpose. Each portion should consist of a respectable amount of food which could be served to a guest. For example, a single grape is not a large enough portion with which to honor a guest. Therefore, a person who wants grapes to be one of the two portions, needs to include a reasonable amount.
