When the wicked Haman – the seed of Amaleq (may his name and memory be erased), sought to annihilate the Jewish people, the Jews realized that they had only one weapon, but it was a formidable one – their Torah.

Through his egotistical pride and hatred for Mordekhai the Jew, Haman gave the order in the name of King Ahashuerosh to destroy every Jew, both young and old and women and children. Throughout one hundred and twenty seven provinces from India to Ethiopia the order was received to exterminate them, on one day, on the thirteenth of Adar.

The Jewish People prayed and fasted for three days and nights in order to rectify the three types of wrongs they may have committed, by their actions, speech and thought. And in the end their prayers were answered. The evil are elevated to eminence to show how great their fall and this was the case with the wicked Haman. From being the most powerful man in the kingdom, second only to the king himself, he was hung in total disgrace – as were all his sons – on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordekhai the Jew.

The Sabbath before Purim is known as Shabbath Zakhor (Shabbath 'Remember') as the portion "Remember what 'Amaleq did unto you" is read. It is important for all to hear this. It is customary, on this Shabbath as well as on Purim itself, to sing Shbahoth (songs of praise) such as "Simeni Rosh 'Al Kol Oybai" (Place me above all my enemies).

The day before Purim is called the Fast of Esther, as we fast in memory of the three-day fast of our forefathers. The fast is broken after the Meghillah reading. When the Meghilla is read on Mosi Shabbath (Saturday night after Shabbath) and Sunday morning, the fast is held on the preceeding Thursday.

Both men and women are obligated to hear the Meghillah reading. One who does not have a Kasher Meghillah must hear every word read by the Hazzan. Prior to the reading, the Hazzan unfolds his Meghillah like a letter, but the congregation read theirs like one would read a Sefer Torah. This is the most common custom among Sepharadim.

The Minhagh is to stand for the Berakhoth of the Meghillah reading at night include the blessing of Shehebeyanu, but in the morning it is omitted.

It is the custom in some communities for the children to dress up in special costumes. In many Sepharadi communities, however, this custom was either never adopted or forgotten entirely.

The general noise-making at every mention of Haman's name throughout the reading poses problems in many synagogues, as we are obligated to hear every word of the reading. It is appropriate, therefore, to limit this to banging one's foot at the first and last mention of Haman's name and the names of his sons.

On Purim, everyone is obligated to give two gifts to at least two poor people. This should not be confused with the giving of the Mahasith Hasheqel (half Sheqel) prior to Purim.

During the day both men and women must send Mishloah Manoth – two types of food to one adult friend. Men should send to men and women to women. There is no need to send to all ones acquaintances. A mourner who is in his twelve months of mourning should only send to one person and others should not send to him.

Sepharadim traditionally send delicacies such as Baqlawa, Sambusak and Halwah. It is the tradition among Ashkenazim to eat "'Oznai Haman" (lit. Haman's ears - [Hamantaschen in Yiddish]) on Purim. It is a Miswah to have a festive meal at which one eats and drinks well. It must be eaten during the day. If it is eaten at night, one has not fulfilled one's obligations.

Sepharadim eat this meal earlier than do Ashkenazim and must finish before sunset. If a Sepharadi is eating in a home where the meal ends when it is no longer still day, he may not include the portion of 'Al Hannisseem in the Birkath Hammazon.

When Purim falls on 'Ereb Shabbath (Friday), one should follow one's community's minhagh. The custom in the Midrash is to ensure that the meal is finished sufficiently early to enable us to eat the Shabbath meal with a good apetite and ensure the reading of Qabbalath Shabbath at the correct time with a minyan.

It is good to eat foods containing Qitniyoth (pulses) on Purim in memory of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and 'Azariah who, for reasons of Kashruth, ate only these in the palace of Babylon. And in memory too of Queen Esther who did the same.

The miracle of Purim is the last miracle to be mentioned in the Arba' WeEsreem - 24 books of the Torah, Nebee-eem (prophets) & Kethubbeem (chronicles).And it is appropriate on this day, to refrain from work and to dress up in one's Shabbath clothes: