Megillah, Daf Lammed, Part 5
Introduction
Today’s section lists the four special Shabbatot, when they fall, and what haftorah is read on each.
ברביעית +שמות י"ב+ החדש הזה לכם. תנו רבנן: ראש חודש אדר שחל להיות בשבת – קורין כי תשא ומפטירין ביהוידע, ואי זו היא שבת ראשונה – כל שחל ראש חודש אדר להיות בתוכה, ואפילו בערב שבת. בשניה – זכור ומפטירין +שמואל א’ ט"ו+ פקדתי, ואי זו היא שבת שניה – כל שחל פורים להיות בתוכה, ואפילו בערב שבת. בשלישית – פרה אדומה, ומפטירין +יחזקאל ל"ו+ וזרקתי עליכם, ואי זו היא שבת שלישית – כל שסמוכה לפורים מאחריה. ברביעית החדש הזה ומפטירין +יחזקאל מ"ה+ כה אמר ה’ [אלהים] בראשון באחד לחדש ואיזו היא שבת רביעית – כל שחל ראש חדש ניסן להיות בתוכה, ואפילו בערב שבת.
On the fourth, "this month shall be for you" (Exodus 12:2).
Our Rabbis taught: If Rosh Hodesh Adar falls on Shabbat, we read Ki Tisa and as haftarah [the portion about] Yehoyada.
Which is the first Shabbat? The one on which Rosh Hodesh Adar falls in the following week, even if on Friday.
On the second Shabbat Zakhor is read, and for haftarah, "I have visited" (II Samuel 15:2).
Which is the second Shabbat? The one in which Purim falls in the following week, even if on Friday.
On the third Shabbat the portion of the red heifer is read, and for haftarah, "And I shall sprinkle on you" (Ezekiel 36:25).
Which is the third Shabbat? The one which follows Purim.
On the fourth "This month" is read, and for haftarah, "Thus says the Lord God, in the first month on the first of the month" (Ezekiel 45:18).
Which is the fourth Shabbat?The one immediately preceding the week in which Rosh Hodesh Nisan falls, even if on Friday.
This baraita outlines the entire system of special Shabbatot, which parsha is read and what the haftorah is. Some of the baraita was explained above in earlier sections.
The first Shabbat is Shabbat Shekalim. It always falls either the Shabbat before Rosh Hodesh Adar, or on Rosh Hodesh Adar.
The second Shabbat is Zakhor. It falls on the Shabbat before Purim.
The third Shabbat is Parah. It is always read the Shabbat before Parshat Hahodesh. Usually this is also the Shabbat after Purim, but not always.
The fourth Shabbat is Parshat Hahodesh. It is either the week before Rosh Hodesh Nisan or on Rosh Hodesh Nisan itself.