שבת שקלים
Shabbat Shekalim 1991
Find the exact dates for Shabbat Shekalim 1991 (5751), including when it begins and ends.
When is Shabbat Shekalim 1991?
Observed on
Saturday, February 9, 1991
Shabbat Shekalim falls on the Shabbat on or before Rosh Chodesh Adar.
Significance
Shabbat Shekalim recalls the half-shekel tax that funded communal offerings, emphasizing every Jew's equal share in the service of God.
View all 1991 Jewish holidays
Learn more about Shabbat Shekalim
Frequently Asked Questions About Shabbat Shekalim
Shabbat Shekalim is the first of four special Shabbatot before Passover, observed on the Shabbat before or on Rosh Chodesh Adar (or Adar II in a leap year). A special maftir reading from Exodus 30:11-16 describes the half-shekel tax collected from every Israelite for the upkeep of the Tabernacle and Temple.
The half-shekel represented equality before God — every person, rich or poor, gave the same amount. In Temple times, the new collection began on the 1st of Adar, so Shabbat Shekalim served as a public reminder. Today, it is customary to give three half-denomination coins to charity before Purim (Machatzit HaShekel) in memory of this mitzvah.
About Shabbat Shekalim in 1991
Shabbat Shekalim (שבת שקלים) dates change each year because Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew lunisolar calendar.
For more about Shabbat Shekalim including its history, customs, and traditions, see our comprehensive guide. Learn more about Shabbat Shekalim