Shekalim is the first of the four special Shabbatot that precede the new year that starts in Nissan. We read a special Maftir, about the commandment of giving a half-shekel, and a special Haftarah. A very special Haftarah, where the word “silver” appears 14 times in 17 verses. It’s about money. It is also one of the best stories, with one of the best back-stories in all of Tanach.
Linear annotated translation of the Haftarah of Shekalim
Shabbat Shekalim is either Rosh Chodesh Adar, or the Shabbat Mevarchim when we announce Rosh Chodesh Adar. That means that Purim is right around the corner. The Haftarah of Shekalim connects also to Purim.
So: when we read it for Mishpatim, we have: Parshat HaKessef: A Matter of Money, but when we read it for VaYakhel or Pekudei, there’s a completely different focus and message: Shekalim: Accounting
And once you’ve read all of that, here is an extra bonus Midrash:
א”ר יוחנן אם ראית לדור שמתמעט והולך חכה לו למשיח שנאמר ואת עם עני תושיע. כי אתה תאיר נרי במרדכי. ואלהי יגיה חשכי באסתר. דבר אחר כי אתה תאיר נרי ביהושבע ואלהי יגיה חשכי ביהוידע.
R’ Yohanan said: If you see a generation that gets weaker and weaker, expect Moshiach, for it says “a poor people I will save.” “For you light my candle” is Mordechai, “and Hashem will disperse my darkness” is Esther. Or, “For you light my candle” is Yehosheva, “and Hashem will disperse my darkness” is Yehoyada.
In the bleakest moment, when everything appears lost, there is someone who steps up to bring light to the darkness. That someone might be Mordechai and Esther, or it might be Yehosheva and Yehoyada, whom we meet in the introduction to the Haftarah.