Summary of The Haftorah:
The Four Parshios (Portions)
Practically speaking, Shabbos was the one day during the week when the
community gathered. Therefore, the Rabbis chose Shabbos as the most opportune
time to make timely Halachik and communal announcements. Associating these
announcements with a Torah portion is indicative of the focus that each of us
is supposed to have in regards to integrating Hashem (G-d) into our lives. These
announcements were not simply relegated to a public pronouncement or a few
lines on a sheet, but were associated with the reading and the study of Torah.
There are four special Shabbosim preceding Pesach when additional portions from the Torah are read.
Set rules determine when each of these additional Parshios are to be read.
Parshas Shekalim, the first of the special Shabbosim preceding Pesach,
is read on the Shabbos that precedes the month of Adar, or the Shabbos of Rosh Chodesh Adar
(when Rosh Chodesh and Shabbos coincide).
Parshas Zachor is read on the Shabbos before Purim.
Parshas Parah is read on the Shabbos before the Shabbos of Parshas Hachodesh.
Parshas Hachodesh is read on the Shabbos before the month of Nissan or the Shabbos of Rosh Chodesh
Nissan (when Rosh Chodesh and Shabbos coincide).
