שבת זכור
Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor (Shabbat of Remembrance) falls before Purim with a special maftir commanding remembrance of Amalek's attack.
When is Shabbat Zachor 2026?
Observed on
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Shabbat Zachor is the Shabbat immediately before Purim.
Significance
Shabbat Zachor fulfills the biblical commandment to remember Amalek's attack. Many authorities consider hearing this reading a biblical obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor (Shabbat of Remembrance) is the Shabbat immediately before Purim. A special maftir from Deuteronomy 25:17-19 is read, commanding the Jewish people to remember the attack by Amalek upon leaving Egypt. Hearing this reading is considered a Torah obligation by many authorities, and synagogues are typically filled to capacity.
Haman, the villain of the Purim story, was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. Reading about the commandment to remember and blot out the memory of Amalek immediately before Purim connects the ancient enemy with the Purim narrative. The haftarah tells of King Saul's battle against Agag and the Amalekites.
About Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor (שבת זכור) is one of the important holidays in the Jewish calendar. This page provides the dates for Shabbat Zachor 2026 and information about its meaning and observance.