I appreciated the letter by Michelle Kohn,”Bring Back the Spirit of Purim” (February 27, 2020). She wrote that Purim has become an extravagant and unnecessary burden because of the outrageous expenses, time and energy spent. The law is to give to at least one person two kinds of food. Many of us go way overboard.

In the true spirit of Purim, I have a somewhat different solution than simply scaling back as Mrs. Kohn suggests. Perhaps some will try it.

Purim was a time of growing assimilation of the Jewish People. Also, the purpose of shalach manos as proposed by Queen Esther was to increase unity and a sense of mutual responsibility of Jews for each other. Unity is what saved the Jews, and unity will bring the future redemption. So why do we give shalach manos to our best friends?

I give shalach manos to Jewish neighbors and co-workers who are not yet religious, and who I am not very friendly with, with the message that Purim is about the continued existence of our people, whose teachings are compassion and ethical responsibility.

They always appreciate the shalach manos and the message!