Shushan Purim

Shushan Purim is observed on the 15th of Adar, one day after regular Purim. It is celebrated in cities that were walled at the time of Joshua's conquest of the Land of Israel. Today, this applies primarily to Jerusalem, where the Megillah is read and Purim festivities are held on the 15th instead of the 14th.

In the story of Esther, the Jews in the walled capital city of Shushan fought their enemies on both the 13th and 14th of Adar, and rested on the 15th. Jews in unwalled cities fought only on the 13th and celebrated on the 14th. The rabbis honored the Land of Israel by tying the distinction to cities walled since Joshua's time, rather than since the Persian era.