Purim 14 Adar

Haman was the royal vizier of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I; "Khshayarsha" and "Artakhsher" in Old Persian, respectively). His plans were foiled by Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin, and Esther, Mordecai's cousin and adopted daughter who became queen of Persia after her marriage to Ahasuerus. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among the Jews.

According to the Scroll of Esther, “they should make them days of celebration and joy, and of sending portions to one another and of gifts to the poor.” Purim is celebrated among

• Exchanging gifts of food and drink, known as mishloach manot
• Making a charitable donation to the poor, known as mattanot la-evyonim
• Eating a celebratory meal, known as se'udat Purim
• Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther (קריאת מגילת אסתר Kriat megillat Esther), or "reading the Megillah", usually at the synagogue
• Reciting additions to daily prayers and grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim

Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades (Adloyada), and eating hamantashen (transl. "Haman's pockets"); men are encouraged to drink wine or any other alcoholic beverage.

According to the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (and it is celebrated on Adar II in Hebrew leap years, which occur every two to three years), the day after the Jews defeated their enemies. In cities that were protected by a city wall at the time of Joshua, Purim was celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Adar on what is called Shushan Purim, since the fighting in the fortified city of Shushan continued until the 14th day of Adar. Today, only Jerusalem and a few other cities celebrate Purim on the 15th day of Adar.