Purim, (Hebrew: “Lots”) English Feast of Lots, a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century BC, were marked for death by their Persian rulers. The story is related in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated among Jews by: Exchanging gifts of food and drink known as mishloach manot. ... Eating a celebratory meal known as a se'udat Purim. Public recitation ("reading of the megillah") of the Scroll of Esther, known as kriat ha-megillah, usually in synagogue.