I thought that to fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach manot each person must give two gifts to his friend, as it says, Esther 9:19
ומשלוח מנות איש לרעהו
Last night, I got a large basket from my shul with a paper lsiting several names of people who pooled together and donated to the shul's mishlo'ach manot "fund". I understand that this has become a popular activity in many communities. The shul gets a percentage of the fund collected, and it saves people the effort of packing packages, themselves.
Is such "pooled" mishlo'ach manot acceptable, in light of the verse mentioned above. Also, it seems that the shul is the one delivering the mishlo'ach manot, not the people themselves.
Edited based on "repetitive comments:
1 - My shul gave these baskets out at night, to SOME people, i.e. - those that showed up last night and, partially, b/c they knew there would be snow on Purim so it would be harder to get it to them. I'm aware that doesn't fulfill the mitzvah. For the answer, ignore this aspect. I just mentioned that fact incidentally.
2 - Several Orthodox shuls in my neighborhood are doing this seemingly with the intent that this shoul dbe "acceptable" mishloach manot, and many of them deliver it during the day time like postmen - neither rain nor snow... (and boy, is it snowing, now!) So, is the shul fulfilling the mitzvah o rno one is fulfilling the mitzvah this way?
3- Some of the comments, so far, seem like they would be better as answers. Move them to answers if you feel that way!
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