)
The Sages instituted the public reading of four Torah passages (parshiyot) to follow the weekly Torah portion:
Parashat Shekalim (Exodus 30:11-16) is usually read on the Shabbat before Adar. It was originally instituted to remind everyone to contribute a half-shekel, used to purchase communal offerings in the Temple. Today, there is a custom to give charity during Adar to commemorate this yearly donation.
Parashat Zakhor (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) is read on the Shabbat before Purim. We thus fulfill the Torah commandment to remember what the Amalekites did to us. (See the following section.)
Parashat Para (Numbers 19:1-22) is read on the Shabbat before Parashat Ha-ĥodesh, as the month of Nissan approaches. (See the next paragraph.) It was originally instituted to remind people to purify themselves in preparation for the ascent to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover during Temple times.
Parashat Ha-ĥodesh (Exodus 12:1-20) is read on the Shabbat before Nissan, to remind us to start preparing for Pesaĥ.
The universal Jewish custom is to fast on the thirteenth of Adar. Ta’anit Esther (Esther’s Fast) is to commemorate the fasts Queen Esther undertook before approaching King Ahasuerus to ask him to annul the decree against the Jewish people (Esther 4:16). It also commemorates the fast the Jews undertook on the thirteenth of Adar of that year. Since we are still plagued by enemies who want to wipe us out, fasting and repenting are still necessary. The laws pertaining to Ta’anit Esther are more lenient than those of the minor fasts commemorating the destruction of the Temple (37:6 above). One who is weak or might be sick is not required to fast.
