A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... Let's have a preview of the upcoming ARBA PARSHIYOT, the four special Shabbatot on which a special Maftir and Haftara is read. The ones that take place in and slightly before Adar. The Arba Parshiyot (4P) always span 5 or 6 Shabbatot. In other words, there is always one or two Hafsakot within the weeks of the 4P. Sh'kalim is the Shabbat of or before Rosh Chodesh Adar (the second Adar when there are two). This year, Sh'kalim falls on the 29th of Sh'vat, Erev Rosh Chodesh, Parshat Mishpatim. The following Shabbat is a Hafsaka - 6 Adar, T'ruma only. Then comes T'tzaveh and Zachor on the 13th, followed by Para (Ki Tisa) on the 20th, and HaChodesh on 27 Adar with Vayakhel-P'kudei. This year's arrangement of the 4P is one of four possible arrangements (a result of the Lo AD"U ROSH rule for Rosh HaShana) and is coded BET-VAV, meaning when the first of Adar is on Yom BET, Monday, then there will be a break in the 4P on VAV (6) Adar. [The Parshat Yitro Homepage]
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