structural:summarization
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther. Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus. His plans were foiled by Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin, and Esther, Mordecai's cousin and adopted daughter who had become queen of Persia after her marriage to Ahasuerus. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among Jews. According to the Scroll of Esther, "they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor". Purim is celebrated among Jews by:
  - Exchanging gifts of food and drink, known as mishloach manot.
  - Donating charity to the poor, known as mattanot la-evyonim.
  - Eating a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages, known as se'udat Purim or "Mishteh".
  - Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther, or "reading of the Megillah", usually in synagogue.
  - Reciting additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim.
  - Applying henna. Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades (Adloyada), eating hamantashen, and drinking wine. According to the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies, the 13th of Adar, a date now observed in most years with the fast of Esther. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Adar on what is known as Shushan Purim, since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th day of Adar. Today, only in Jerusalem Purim is observed on the 15th, and in several other biblical settlements it is celebrated on both dates because of doubts regarding their status as cities surrounded by a wall since the days of Joshua.