Purim is a busy day. In addition to the three daily prayer services, the Torah is read, as is the megilla, after which one must fulfill the other three mitzvot of Purim.

In all the Amida prayers of Purim, one includes in the Modim blessing, which consists of thanks to God, the passage of Al HaNisim, with the section: “In the days of Mordechai and Esther, etc.” which appears in prayer books. In the evening prayers, at the end of the Amida, the megilla is read. Afterward, the congregation recites Ve’ata Kadosh, “And you are holy,” which can also be found in prayer books. (On a Saturday night, this is preceded by the Vihi Noam passage, “May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us,” Psalms 90:17). The service then concludes as usual.

In the morning service, after the Amida prayer, one Torah scroll is taken from the ark, and three men are called up for the Torah reading of Purim (Exodus 17:8-16), which tells of the first war of Amalek against Israel. This episode is read on Purim because the decree of Haman, who was a descendent of Agag king of Amalek, is viewed as a continuation of that evil Amalekite aspiration to harm and destroy the Jewish people. Afterward the Torah scroll is returned to the ark, the megilla is read, and the morning prayers are concluded as on a regular weekday.

Following the morning prayer service, it is appropriate to hurry to fulfill the mitzvot of sending portions of food and gifts to the poor, and to devote the remainder of the day to fulfilling the mitzva of “feasting and joy.”

It is customary to recite the afternoon prayer service relatively early, so that the festive meal can be held in a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.

In Grace after Meals throughout the day, one includes the passage of Al HaNisim, with the section beginning: “In the days of Mordechai and Esther.”

It is an accepted custom, especially among children, to dress up in costumes on Purim, in order to enhance the joy of the day. Many varied reasons have been suggested for this custom.