Halocho #2365 - Shabbat Shekalim

This week is Shabbat Shekalim and 2 Torah Scrolls are taken out.

After the regular Torah Reading - Parshat וַיַּקְהֵל - we say half-Kaddish and then read the beginning of last week's Parsha כִּי תִשָּׂא (Shemot Ch. 30, Verses 11-16) in the second Sefer Torah.

This is followed by the Haftara for Shekalim from Melachim-2. Some communities start at chapter11 verse 17 - וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹיָדָע אֶת הַבְּרִית, others start from chapter 12 - בֶּן שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים יְהוֹאָשׁ בְּמָלְכוֹ.

Shabbat Shekalim reminds us of the half-Shekel that everybody donated yearly to finance the daily sacrifices in the Bet Hamikdash, may we merit to see it rebuilt, speedily in our days.

Shabbat is also Shabbat Mevarchim of the upcoming month of Adar-Bet. Rosh Chodesh Adar-Sheini will be on Sunday and Monday.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר הַסָּמוּךְ לְנִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים.

- Danny
Wednesday, 26 Adar-1 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #2364 - Four special Shabbatot coming up

Four of the next 5 Shabbatot are referred to as the "4 Parshiot".

This year these are:

1. Shekalim - שְׁקָלִים coming up this Shabbat.
2. A "regular" week, sometimes called a Hafsaka - break during the "4 Parshiot".
3. Zachor - זָכוֹר, the Shabbat before Purim; Erev Purim this year.
4. Para - פָּרָה a week later, always a week before Hachodesh.
5. Hachodesh - הַחֹדֶשׁ the week after Para - the week before Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Each of these 4 weeks we take out a second Sefer Torah, and each of the 4 Parshiot has its own Haftara, as we will learn in future posts.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 140:1 - סדר ארבע פרשיות

שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר הַסָּמוּךְ לְנִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים.
שַׁבָּת שֶׁלִפְנֵי פּוּרִים הוּא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ.
וְהַשַׁבָּת שֶׁלִּפְנֵי פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ, הִיא שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה.

- Danny
Tuesday, 25 Adar-1 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּילָא

לרפואה שלמה