Twice in the weeks before Purim, a second scroll is taken out of the Ark during the Shabbat Morning service, marking two of what are known as the “4 parshiot.” These special readings, two leading up to Purim and two after, serve as spiritual and textual preparation, and serve as a bridge between Purim and Passover in their own way.
The preparations begin on the Shabbat before (or on) Rosh Chodesh Adar, and continue on the Shabbat immediately before Purim (last week).
The first reading, from the Book of Exodus, is known as Shabbat Shekalim. The reading includes the verses which commands everyone to bring a half-Shekel to the Mishkan every year. The communal fund—the original Annual Campaign (there’s still time to make a gift, btw!!) made up of those half-shekels—had to be renewed every year; and the year, based on the festivals, would begin on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. By reading these words on Rosh Chodesh Adar, one month before Nisan begins, was the ancient equivalent of the email reminder.
And then, just before Purim, we turn from communal responsibility to communal tragedy. This time reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Shabbat Zakhor retells for us, year after year, the story of Amalek, the enemy who attacked the weakest amongst us—the incident we are commanded never to forget. We read the story of Amalek who ultimately resurfaces in the Purim story, where we are confronted with Haman, the Agagite—a descendant of Amalek.
Perhaps though, there is something to be learned from these two readings when taken together. On Purim, we celebrate a victory orchestrated by Esther and Mordecai, but experienced and supported by the entire community. And leading up to that day, and that celebration, we see both options: On Shabbat Shekalim, we see a community committed to its own care, contributing for the good of the whole; on Shabbat Zakhor, we see fracture, and the vulnerability of those left on the outskirts of the community. As Purim ends, and we prepare for the communal liberation of Passover, let’s make sure that the community we continue to create is the former.
— Rabbi Sari Laufer