No Monkeying Around

However, there are other considerations at play. Further, there are those who disagree with the conclusion of Tosfos. So as a matter of practical halacha, one cannot use a monkey to write his get.

Returning to the subject of mishloach manos, Shu’t Yaaleh Yehudah writes that one can send his mishloach manos with a minor. Even though typically we require a shaliach to be an adult, in this case, the rabbanan never mandated the use of an actual shaliach. The Chasam Sofer writes further that one can send his mishloach manos with a monkey. This is in line with his earlier explanation that a real shaliach is not needed in this case.

In fact, the Eishel Avraham writes that the whole concept of using a shaliach is to make it easier to fulfill the mitzvah. Typically, when it comes to mitzvos, we apply the general rule – one should fulfill the mitzvah himself rather than appoint an agent. When it comes to mishloach manos, however, this concept does not apply, and one can freely use a shaliach to send mishloach manos.

The Mishnah Berurah, however, quotes the opinion of the Binyan Tzion that perhaps one must fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach manos specifically through a shaliach. Typically, having an agent deliver a present is a sign of respect, and perhaps the rabbis mandated that the mitzvah of mishloach manos can be performed only by the use of an agent. Apparently, most poskim have ruled that one need not be concerned with this opinion. However, Rav Shlomo Zalman, zt”l, was careful to use a shaliach at least once on Purim to fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach manos.

One last point. The Ksav Sofer writes that the person receiving the mishloach manos must know who sent it. If someone sends a package without identifying who it is from, no goodwill will be generated between the giver and the receiver. Along this line, at least one local rav is known to carefully inspect every package of mishloach manos that he receives. What goodwill is generated by having everyone deposit their packages on a table if the recipient never even finds out who sent him mishloach manos?