Pesach: paying for the pleasure! A note on Maot Chittim

What exactly is Maot Chittim? Why is such a fuss made about it at this time of year? Is it the same thing as kimcha depischa? The following note, which seeks to explain Maot Chittim, is based on a longer article by Rabbi Ari Enkin (OU Torah) that you can read here.

Maot chittim, also known as "kimcha depischa", is the duty of us all to donate funds before Pesach to help the poor to cover their holiday expenses. Pesach isn’t just the festival of freedom: it is also intended to impart within every person a feeling of royalty—and we have to ensure that even the poor can feel this way. That’s why Pesach is the only holiday which comes with its own charity collection.

Everyone who has been living in a city for 12 months or more is obliged to contribute to that city's ma'ot chittim fund. Conversely, anyone who has been living in the city for at least 30 days is entitled to receive such funds (though all poor people should be assisted in some manner). No one is exempt from giving to ma'ot chittim charity—not  even the greatest Torah scholars who are generally exempt from paying taxes and other communal collections. Only those who make an effort to help others have the right to begin their Pesach seder with the words: "Let all who are hungry come and eat with us". According to the Kaf HaChaim, those who refuse to donate to the ma'ot chittim fund can be compelled to do so.

Today, ma'ot chittim is distributed in many different ways. Some communities give out food and supplies for free or at a great discount. Others give out cash. But never mind the details! The important thing is to give with a good heart in order to help our fellow Jews.

If you'd like to donate to the shul's Maot Chittim appeal for this year, payment details are here.