---
title: Siman 685 – Arba Parshios
description: "וChelek 6 1. The Four Parshios are read in the Adar closest to Nissan. 1. Shekalim - to remember the annual Machtzis Hashekel. 2. Zachor - to remember Amalek's deed. 3. Parra - as a prayer to speedily become cleansed…"
url: "https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-685-arba-parshios/"
updated: "2026-07-27"
category: Laws of Megilla
---

# Siman 685 – Arba Parshios

וChelek 6

1. The Four Parshios are read in the Adar closest to Nissan.
   1. Shekalim - to remember the annual Machtzis Hashekel.
   2. Zachor - to remember Amalek's deed.
   3. Parra - as a prayer to speedily become cleansed from tumah.
   4. HaChodesh - to "sanctify' the first month - Nissan. (ShA  - MB )

1. If you mistakenly read the Four Parshios and the Megilla in Adar I, they should all be repeated in Adar II. (MB )

1. When Rosh Chodesh Adar falls out on Shabbos, remove three sifray Torah:
   1. 1st one - read at least six aliyos from Parshas Hashavua.
   2. 2nd one - the last aliya before Kaddish. Read it for Rosh Chodesh.
   3. 3rd one - Maftir from Parshas Shekalim with a Haftara to match. (ShA )

1. When Rosh Chodesh Nissan falls out on Shabbos, likewise remove three sifray Torah. Follow the same procedure as above except read the third sefer Torah from Parshas HaChodesh with a Haftara to match. (MB )

1. In all the other scenarios of the Four Parshios, only two sifray Torah are removed. From the first, we read Parshas Hashavua. Maftir is from one of the Four Parshios with a Haftara to match. (ShA , , )

1. Whenever you finish reading one sefer Torah, do not do hagba until the next sefer Torah is placed down beside it. Also, do not say Kaddish after the kria of a sefer Torah before you place the next sefer Torah down next to it. (MB , , , )

1. Some poskim hold that Parshas Zachor and Parshas Para are min haTorah. You should make sure to be in a place with a minyan for these Shabbosos. (ShA )

1. The baal koray and the listeners must all have intention to fulfil their obligations. This applies even according to the opinions that hold Parshas Para is only mid’rabbonon. (MB , )

1. The Magen Avraham holds that if you must, you can fulfill Parshas Zachor by listening to the krias haTorah of Purim morning. (MB )

1. If it is impossible to attend a minyan, you should still read those parshios (from a sefer Torah) with their trop. (Rama  - MB )

1. There is an argument regarding the pronunciation: "zaycher Amalek" or "zecher Amalek". It is proper to read it both ways to fulfil them both. (MB )

1. On the Arba Parshios we don't say Kayl Molay Rachamim nor Av HaRachamim. But we do say Tzidkoscha Tzedek. (MB )

1. There is a custom to fast every Thursday during Shov'vim. The Arizal writes that these fasts are more effective to fix the sin of keri than any other fast. (BaH 2)

## Key

**ShA**
 : Shulchan Aruch

**MB**
 : Mishna Berura

**ShaH**
 : Shaar Hatsiun

**ShaT**
 : Shaaray Teshuva

**BeH**
 : Beur Halacha

**BaH**
 : Baer Haytayv

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