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There are four special Sabbaths during the year that do not coincide with a Jewish holiday, but require readings from two Torah scrolls (along with an extra ceremony attending to these readings). All four of these Sabbaths occur just before the 1st of Nissan, the start of the Biblical Year and just before the occurence of Passover. Collectively, these four Sabbaths are called “The Four Shabbatot.”
1. Shabbat Shekalim
(shab-bat she-ka-LEEM) “Sabbath of the Shekels.” Read on Sabbath before the 1st of Adar. The Maftir (additional reading) from Exodus (30:11-16) describes the census of every Jew and the obligation to give a half-shekel terumah (contribution) during the month of Adar to pay for the public korbanot (sacrifices) offered in the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) in Jerusalem. For us, it might be a time to remember those who offer personal sacrifices so that we also might draw closer to God.
2. Shabbat Zakhor
(shab-bat zah-KHOR) “Sabbath of Remembrance.” The additional (musaf) portion recalls the enmity of the Amalkites (Deut. 25:17-19). Read on the sabbath before Purim.
3. Shabbat Parah
(shab-bat pah-RAH) “Sabbath of the Red Cow.” The additional (musaf) portion recalls the Red Heifer sacrifice (Num. 19) and the making of the ashes for ritual purification. Read on the sabbath after Purim.
4. Shabbat HaChodesh
(shab-bat ha-KHOH-desh) “Sabbath of the Month.” The sabbath before the 1st of Nissan, the start of the biblical year (Ex. 12:1-20). Note that any Shabbat that precedes or begins the week during which there will a new Hebrew month (Rosh Chodesh) is known as Shabbat Mevarchim (mevarchim means "they [the congregation] bless" the forthcoming new month." This involves the addition of certain prayers regarding Rosh Chodesh.
Other Special Sabbaths
In addition to the Four Shabbatot, some other Sabbaths call for additional Torah readings to commemorate key events in Jewish history:
1. Shabbat HaGadol
(shab-bat ha-gah-DOHL) “The Great Sabbath”; the Sabbath immediately before the festival of Pesach (Passover), in commemoration of the time when the first generation set aside the Pascal lamb. The additional (musaf) is from Malachi 3. Note that a Sabbath that occurs during the "intermediate days" of Passover (and Sukkot) is known as Shabbat Chol HaMoed - "the Shabbat [of the] intermediate days." The regular weekly Torah portion is not read on this Sabbath but readings based on the holiday are recited instead.
Fall Special Sabbaths...
In synagogue services the order of the Haftarot (readings from the Nevi’im, or prophetic writings) usually follow the Torah reading for the week. However, beginning with the Three Weeks of Sorrow until after the High Holidays, these readings change. First are three haftarot of punishment (leading up to Tishah B’Av), then seven of consolation (for the seven weeks until Rosh Hashanah), and finally one of repentance (on Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath before Yom Kippur).
2. Shabbat Chazon
(shab-bat kha-ZOHN) “The Sabbath of Vision.” The Sabbath preceding the Fast of Av (Tishah B’Av) during the Three Weeks of Sorrow is called Chazon (“vision”). The Haftarah reading is from the first chapter of Isaiah (1:1-27) that reveals the coming destruction of the Temple. It is common during this time to confess the sins in our lives that likewise contribute to the lack of God’s Presence in our midst.
3. Shabbat Nachamu
(shab-bat na-kha-MOO) “The Sabbath of Comfort.” The Sabbath immediately following Tishah B’Av (the Ninth of Av) is called שבת נחמו (Shabbat Nachamu - the “Sabbath of Comfort”), based on the Haftarah reading (Isaiah 40:1-27) that begins: נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי - Nachamu, Nachamu ami - be comforted, be comforted, my people..." The sages state that the word Nachamu is repeated to offer consolation for each of the Temples that we destroyed.
4. Shabbat Shuvah
(shab-bat shoo-VAH) “The Sabbath of Repentance.” The Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Haftarah begins with Hosea 14:2, “Shuvah!”
5. Shabbat Bereshit
(shab-BAHT be-ray-SHEET) “The Sabbath of Beginning.” This Sabbath follows the feast of Sukkot (Simchat Torah) and the begins first portion of the annual Torah reading cycle.
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