(1.) By reading twice, once during the Evening Service and once during
the Morning Service, the Book of Esther (מגלת אסתר), which contains
the history of Haman’s plans and their frustration. The reading is
preceded by the following blessing: ברוך … אשר קדשנו … על מקרא מגלה
“Blessed art thou ... who hast sanctified us by thy commandments and
hast commanded us to read the Megillah.” ברוך … שעשה נסים לאבותינו
בימים ההם בזמן הזה “Blessed art thou ... who wroughtest miracles for
our fathers in days of old at this season,” and שהחינו.
(2.) By giving presents to our friends (משלוח מנות) and gifts to the
poor (מתנות לאביונים).
(3.) By a festive meal (סעודת פורים). Comp. Esth. ix. During the
Morning Service the account of the war with Amalek is read from Exod.
xvii. 8–16.
The 15th of Adar is called Shushan Purim, because the Jews in Shushan
continued to fight against the enemy on the 14th of Adar, and kept
Purim on the 15th. The 13th of Adar, being the day appointed for the
slaughter of the Jews, is now kept as a fast-day, and is called תענית
אסתר “the Fast of Esther.”