The battles fought between the Jews and their enemies, which took place on Adar 13 throughout the Persian empire (see "Today in Jewish History" for that date), continued for two days -- Adar 13 and 14 -- in the capital city of Shushan, where there were a greater number of Jew haters. Thus the victory celebrations in Shushan were held on the 15th of Adar, and the observance of the festival of Purim was instituted for that day in Shushan and all walled cities. (See Laws and Customs below).
On this date, in the year following the Holy Temple’s destruction, G‑d tells Ezekiel to take up a lamentation for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and for the Jewish nation’s other enemies, foretelling their ultimate downfall.
Read the prophecy here: Ezekiel ch. 32
In cities that are surrounded by a wall dating from the days of Joshua (13th century BCE) -- a prominent example is the city of Jerusalem -- the festival of Purim is observed on the 15th of Adar (instead of the 14th), in commemoration of the fact that in the ancient walled city of Shushan, the first Purim was celebrated on this day (see "Today in Jewish History").
All over the world, Tachanun is omitted due to the special joy of the day.
(For an overview of the Purim observances and links to more information, see "Laws and Customs" for Adar 14.)
Behind intolerance hides the most primal sense of ego, a clandestine belief that “I and my kind are the only thing that should be.”
People may give reasons for their intolerance, but the reasons are secondary. They despise others for the space they consume. Stripped to the bone, it is senseless hatred without reason.
It is the core of all evil. It is what holds the human soul in exile from the garden.
And its only cure is in unbridled acts of kindness, in opening your heart to the other guy regardless of how different and distant the other guy may be.
Caring beyond reason.