שבת החודש
Shabbat HaChodesh 2026
Find the exact dates for Shabbat HaChodesh 2026 (5786), including when it begins and ends.
When is Shabbat HaChodesh 2026?
Observed on
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Shabbat HaChodesh falls on the Shabbat on or before Rosh Chodesh Nisan.
Significance
Shabbat HaChodesh announces Nisan, the month of redemption. Establishing a Jewish calendar was the first commandment given to the nation.
View all 2026 Jewish holidays
Learn more about Shabbat HaChodesh
Frequently Asked Questions About Shabbat HaChodesh
Shabbat HaChodesh is the fourth and final special Shabbat before Passover, observed on the Shabbat before or on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. The special maftir from Exodus 12:1-20 describes the very first commandment given to the Jewish nation — the establishment of the Hebrew calendar and the laws of the Passover offering.
Nisan is considered the first of the months, as God declared to Moses: 'This month shall be for you the beginning of months.' It is the month of redemption, when the Exodus from Egypt took place. The reading on Shabbat HaChodesh heralds the approaching Passover season and the themes of national freedom and divine redemption.
About Shabbat HaChodesh in 2026
Shabbat HaChodesh (שבת החודש) dates change each year because Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew lunisolar calendar.
For more about Shabbat HaChodesh including its history, customs, and traditions, see our comprehensive guide. Learn more about Shabbat HaChodesh