Esther 9:20-23

20Mordecai recorded these events and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

21urging them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar every year

22as the days when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into celebration. These were to be days of feasting, celebration and sending presents of food to one another and giving gifts to the poor.

23So the Jews agreed to continue the commemoration they had begun, and do what Mordecai had written to them.