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Today's Halacha:
During the recitation of the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" before the Megila reading on Purim night, one should have in mind for the Beracha to apply not only to the Megila reading, but also to the other Misvot of Purim. Namely, one should have in mind the Misvot of Mishlo’ah Manot, Matanot La’ebyonim, and the Purim meal, which he will fulfill the next day. Both the one who reads the Megila, and the congregation who hears the reading, should have this intention during the recitation of "Shehehiyanu" before the Megila reading.
A number of recent scholars noted that when the Mishna Berura (commentary by Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) mentions this Halacha, he curiously omits the Misva of Matanot La’ebyonim. He writes that one must have in mind the Misvot of the Megila reading, Mishlo’ah Manot and the Purim meal, but not Matanot La’ebyonim. Some suggest that the Mishna Berura omits Matanot La’ebyonim because the Misva of charity applies every day. Unlike the other Misvot of Purim, the Misva of Matanot La’ebyonim – or at least the essential aspect of the Misva – is not unique to this day. The standard Misva of charity is simply expanded on Purim to require one to proactively find a Jew in need and give him charity. But since fundamentally this is the same Misva that we fulfill all year round, it does not require the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" which is recited over a Misva performed only on rare occasions.
Others, however, including the Peri Megadim, Magen Abraham and Kaf Ha’haim, maintain that this Halacha applies to Matanot La’ebyonim, as well. In their view, the Misva of Matanot La’ebyonim on Purim is separate from the standard obligation of charity, and thus one must have in mind for the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" to apply to this obligation. This is, indeed, the accepted Halacha.
When one hears the Berachot recited before the Megila reading, he should not answer "Baruch U’baruch Shemo," and should answer only "Amen." Nevertheless, one who mistakenly answered "Baruch U’baruch Shemo" has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation of the Berachot, even though it is proper not to answer "Baruch U’baruch Shemo" to the Berachot recited before the Megila reading.
Summary: When the reader recites the Beracha of "Shehehiyanu" before the Megila reading on Purim, he and the congregation should have in mind for the Beracha to apply to not only the Misva of Megila reading, but also to the Misvot of Purim performed the next day – Mishlo’ah Manot, Matanot La’ebyonim and the Purim meal. One should not answer "Baruch U’baruch Shemo" to the Berachot recited before the Megila reading, but one who mistakenly did answer "Baruch U’baruch Shemo" has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation.
