In addition to the reading of the book of Esther, there are other mitzvot on Purim: having a joyous feast, sending portions of food to each other, and giving gifts to the poor. The Sages derived the details of these mitzvot from the verses of the book of Esther.

Rav Yosef taught: “Sending portions of food one to another [lere’ehu]” (Esther 9:22), meaning two portions to one person. The verse continues: “And gifts to the indigent [evyonim]” (Esther 9:22), meaning two gifts to two people …. Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until he does not know to distinguish between “cursed is Haman” and “blessed is Mordekhai.” (Megilla 7a)