As an introduction to this topic, a (relatively) short introductory note would be helpful. On a regular Shabbat, the Parshah of the Week, which is divided into seven portions, is read publicly in the shul, or synagogue.
For each of the seven portions, one congregant is "called up" to make "brachot," or blessings, on the Torah, before and after that portion is read, in general by a designated reader. Incidentally, this being called up is referred to as an "Aliyah," as is the act of moving one’s residence to Israel, because Eretz Yisrael is considered spiritually higher than anywhere in the Diaspora.
On a Festival, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, or Purim or on a Shabbat coinciding with one of the above, Maftir takes on a somewhat different meaning. On those days, it consists of a section relating to the particular Festival or whatever, located at another place in the Torah; hence, on those days, another Torah scroll needs to be taken out.
These are the 4 Special Shabbatot
- Parashat Parah After Purim
- Parashat Hachodesh After Purim
- Shabbat Shekalim Before Purim
- Shabbat Zachor Before Purim
This are other special Shabbatot
During these four Shabbatot the regular portion of the week is read and seven persons are called to the Torah. The Maftir is taken from another portion and relates to the theme of the respective special Shabbat, as does the Prophetic portion.
שבת שרה
The Shabbat when we read the portion of "Beshalach" is called Shabbat Shira. This parasha has the shirat Hayam, the song the Jewish nation sang when they crossed the Red Sea, which opens with the words "Az Yashir Moshe", tells of "Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen" being flung into the raging sea and ends with "Hashem will reign forever more.
Shabbat Shira falls before Tu Bishvat, or when Tu Bishvat falls on Shabbat. It is customary to scatter bread crumbs for the birds to commemorate the aggada in praise of them.
שבת חזון
The Shabbat before Tisha B’Av is called Shabbat Chazon because of the Haftara which is read:
Chazon Yeshayahu – the prophecy of Yeshayahu…". In it, he prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Beit Hamikdash. In the times of the Geonim, this Shabbat was called Shabbat Eicha after Megillat Eicha which was also read on this Shabbat.
שבת הגדול
The Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat Hagadol, because of the miracle that occured then. The Nation of Israel were commanded to take a lamb on the tenth of Nissan which would serve as the Pesach sacrifice. On that year, the tenth came out on Shabbat. The Egyptians asked the people why they were taking the lamb and they replied: In order to slaughter it for a Pesach sacrifice. The lamb was considered a deity by the Egyptians. Nevertheless, they did not harm the sons of Yacov, but remained silent.
On this Shabbat, we read the Haftara from Malachi Chapter 2: "And the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem shall be pleasing unto Hashem." This chapter ends with the verse: "Lo! I am sending to you Eliyahu the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of Hashem."
שבת נחמו
The Shabbat after Tisha B’Av is called Shabbat Nachamu after the Haftara which is read: "נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי" "Nachamu, Nachamu ami – be comforted, be comforted, my people…" (Yeshayahu 40)
Why is the word Nachamu repeated? To offer consolation for each of the Beit HaMikdash (Temples) which were destroyed. In this chapter, the prophet describes the Ultimate Redemption which we have yet to experience, when Mashiach Yeshua comes back.
The Four Parshiyot
- Before Purim: Shekalim and Zachor
- After Purim: Para and Hachodesh.
There are four Shabbatot during the year when we read special additional portions in the Torah, two before Purim and two between Purim and Pesach.
שבת פרה
Parashat Parah – After Purim
On the Shabbat before Parashat Hachodesh (before the month of Nissan) we read about the Red Heifer for Maftir which is to be found in Bamidbar, Chapter 19. Why?
Because in the time of Beit Hamikdash every person was obligated to bring a Korban Pesach which was eaten on Pesach eve, the Seder night. But only people who were pure could partake of this sacrifice. Therefore, right before the month of Nissan, it was publicly announced that whoever had become impure (by contact with a dead person) must purify himself, and certainly people must be careful not to become impure before Pesach itself.
שבת החדש
Parashat Hachodesh – After Purim
On the Shabbat before Rosh Hodesh Nissan or when it falls on Shabbat, we read Parashat Hachodesh for Maftir. "This month is for you the first of months…" (Shemot 12).
This reading is intended to remind us that Pesach is approaching. For the Haftara we read from Yechezkel, Chapter 45, which tells about the sacrifices which were brought from Rosh Chodesh Nissan and which will be again brought in the future, when the Beit Mikdash is built in the Times of Mashiach. The Haftara concludes with words of consolation: "Like the flock of Jerusalem at her appointed times, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men" (36:38).
שבת שקלים
Shabbat Shekalim – Before Purim
During the time of the Beit Hamikdash, every Jew was obligated to give a half shekel coin once a year in order to participate in the communal sacrifices. From the first of Nissan, the sacrifices bought from the new monies. Thirty days before, the people were publicly reminded to bring their coin to the treasurers appointed in each settlement and district. The half Shekel coin gave everyone an equal share in the sacrifices. Today, we no longer have the Beit Hamikdash or its sacrifices, but we read the portion of the Shekalim in the Torah (Shmot 30:11-16). This is only a remembrance.
Parashat Shekalim is read on the Shabbat of the week when Rosh Hodesh Adar falls or on Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Adar. In a leap year of two Adar months, it is read before the second one. If Rosh Hodesh Adar falls on Shabbat, three sifrei Torah are taken out; one for the weekly portion, one for reading of Rosh Hodesh and the third for the reading of Parashat Shekalim.
The Haftara is read from Melachim II, Chapter11, which tells about King Yehoash of Judea commanding the Kohanim to consecrate all of the money brought to Beit Hamikdash for repairs and renovations of the Beit Hamikdash. This, indeed, is what was done.
שבת זכור
Shabbat Zachor – Before Purim
On the Shabbat before Purim, we take out two Sifrei Torah. We read the weekly portion in the first and Parashat Zachor in the second: " Remember what Amalek did to you…" (Devarim 25:17-19). What is the connection between erasing the memory of Amalek and Purim?
The wicked Haman, who intended to destroy all the Jews in one day and claim their spoils, was the descendant of Agag who was the king of Amalek in the time of King Shaul. Thus we know that Hamman was an Amalekite. This is why our sages ordained carrying out the commandment of remembering to erase the memory of Amalek before Purim. "Remember… do not forget!" Why? we are told to remember what Amalek did to us when we had just left Egypt, and not to forget what Amalek threatened to do in the time of Achashverosh. We read the Haftara from Shmuel 1, chapter 15, which tells about Shaul’s war with Amalek.
שבת שובה
Shabbat Shuva
– Before Yom Kippur
Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Shabbat of Returning).
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