Our Sages instituted four special Torah readings for the month of Adar. During a leap year, when the month of Adar is repeated, these portions are read during the second Adar—"Adar Sheini."
The first reading is "Parshas Shekalim," which comes to commemorate the annual monetary donations—the "Shekalim"—that the Jewish people were commanded to donate towards the communal sacrifices. The annual reminder to donate Shekalim was issued on the 1st of Adar—thirty days before the new cycle of communal sacrifices began, on the 1st of Nissan. We therefore read the relevant Torah portion on the closest Shabbos to the 1st of Adar.
More recently, this Parshah has assumed additional significance. The last address that we thus far merited to hear from the Rebbe was the Farbrengen of Parshas Vayakhel-Shekalim. There, he explained that the theme of Shekalim—especially during Exile, when the Beis HaMikdash has yet to be rebuilt and the communal sacrifices renewed—is giving Tzedakah. This message is all the more pressing at the present time, when we are expected to do all we can to bring the complete Redemption. For our Sages tell us: Great is Tzedakah, for it hastens the Redemption.
Four Special Readings
They are: Parshas Shekalim—recalling the half-shekel coin that every Jew donated annually for the sake of purchasing the coming year's communal sacrifices. A reminder was issued on Rosh Chodesh Adar. Parshas Zachor—lit. "remember," recalling our obligation to eradicate the descendants of Amalek. This is read before Purim, when we celebrate the downfall of Haman, an Amalekite. Parshas Parah—lit. "cow," the Parah Adumah (red heifer) is necessary for ritual purification. This reading comes before the month of Nissan, for only the ritually-pure may partake of the Pesach sacrifice. Parshas HaChodesh—lit. "the month," read on or just before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the "Head of all months," it details the laws of the Pesach sacrifice.
