Shabbat Shekalim 2026

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.