During the run-up to Purim and Pesach, we read four Parshiyos relating to the character of these days at Maftir on Shabbos.
Timing and Meaning
- Parshas Shekalim: If Rosh Chodesh Adar (Sheni in a leap year) falls on Shabbos, we read Parshas Shekalim then. If it falls midweek, Parshas Shekalim is read on the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh. Parshas Shekalim is read at this point as a memorial for the fact that from the start of Nissan each year the Korbanos in the Beis Hamikdash had to be brought from a new set of donations of the ‘half shekel’ from the Jewish people, and from the start of Adar they started reminding people to give their new donations (SA 685:1, 4, MB 1, 2).
- Parshas Shekalim on Rosh Chodesh: When Rosh Chodesh Adar falls on Shabbos, three sifrei torah are taken out. The weekly parsha is read from the first Sefer Torah over six aliyos. Hagba and Gelila is then done on the first Sefer and we then read parshas Rosh Chodesh (from ‘uveyom haShabbos to ‘venisko’) from the second sefer torah as the seventh aliyah. Kaddish is then said, followed by Hagba and Gelila on the second Sefer; thereafter Parshas Shekalim is read from the third Sefer Torah as Maftir (SA 685:1, MB 4-5, 13).
- Parshas Zachor: On the Shabbos before Purim (which is generally two weeks later than Parshas Shekalim, unless Rosh Chodesh Adar was on Shabbos), Parshas Zachor is read in shul, reminding us of the requirement to destroy Amalek before we encounter the wicked deeds of Haman, a descendant of Amalek, on Purim (SA 685:2, 5, MB 1)
- Parshas Parah: On the Shabbos preceding Parshas HaChodesh (generally two Shabbasos before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, unless Rosh Chodesh Nissan falls on Shabbos), we read Parshas Parah, to remind us of how the Bnei Yisrael were sprinkled with ashes of the Para Adumah, the red cow, when the Mishkan was first built to ensure they were pure to bring the Korban Pesach on time (SA 685:3, 5, MB 1).
- Parshas Hachodesh: If Rosh Chodesh Nissan falls on Shabbos, we read Parshas Hachodesh then (three sifrei Torah are taken out, and the procedure is as outlined in 1(a)(i) above). If it falls midweek, we read Parshas Hachodesh the previous Shabbos. We read Parshas Hachodesh at this point to remind ourselves of the mitzva of Rosh Chodesh that was given to the Jews before Rosh Chodesh Nissan in Egypt. (SA 685:4, 5, MB 1, 13)
Halachos of Parshas Zachor
- According to many opinions, reading (and hearing) Parshas Zachor is a Torah obligation.
- From a Torah Scroll in Shul: This being the case, one must ensure to hear the reading of Parshas Zachor from a Sefer Torah and should do so with a minyan, to the point where one who lives in an area where there won’t be a minyan is obligated to go to a place where there will be for this Shabbos.
- Intention: The one reading Parshas Zachor must have in mind to be enable all those listening to fulfil their mitzvah, and one who is listening must also have in mind to fulfil the mitzva by doing so. The Gabbay typically reminds people of this beforehand.One who is unable to get to shul should read Parshas Zachor at home, and if one is able to, one should read it with its leining tune (SA, R 685:7, MB 14-17).
- Women‘s obligation: The poskim debate whether women also have an obligation to hear Parshas Zachor, and different communities have different practices as to whether women come to hear Parshas Zachor in shul, or whether they read or hear it be read at home from a Chumash, or whether do not do so at all (PT 685:5).
- Zecher and Zeicher: Given there is a dispute whether to ‘zecher’ (with a segel) or ‘zeicher’ (with a tzeirei) when reading the final passuk, the custom is to read it both ways. Some have the practice to complete the passuk having read it one way, and then repeat the entire passuk reading it the other way, whilst others merely repeat the phrase ‘timche es Zecher/zeicher amalek’ with both pronunciations (MB 689:18, PT 685:9).
Halachos of Parshas Parah
- Obligation and Intention: According to some, the reading of Parshas Parah is also a Torah obligation, though this is widely contested. In any event, it is at least a Rabbinic mitzva, so like by Parshas Zachor, the one reading Parshas Parah must have in mind to be enable all those listening to fulfil their mitzvah through his reading, and one who is listening must also have in mind to fulfil the mitzva.
- Women: Women do not have an obligation to hear Parshas Para, even according to the views that men have a Torah obligation to do so (SA 685:7, MB 15, PT 6)
