a priest in is reflected in which is in turn one of the six Psalms recited at the beginning of the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service. Haftarah Generally The haftarah for the parashah is and Connection to the Parashah Both the parashah and the haftarah refer to the burnt offering (, olah) and sacrifice (, zevach). In the haftarah, Jeremiah spoke of the priority of obedience to God's law over ritual sacrifice alone. On Shabbat HaGadol When the parashah coincides with Shabbat HaGadol (the special Sabbath immediately before Passover — as it does in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2029), the haftarah is Shabbat HaGadol means "the Great Sabbath," and the haftarah for the special Sabbath refers to a great day that God is preparing. On Shabbat Parah When the parashah coincides with Shabbat Parah (the special Sabbath preceding Shabbat HaChodesh — as it does in 2024, 2027, and 2030), the haftarah is On Shabbat Zachor When the parashah coincides with Shabbat Zachor (the special Sabbath immediately preceding Purim — as it did in 2014), the haftarah is: for Ashkenazi Jews: for Sephardi Jews: Connection to the Special Sabbath On Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath just before Purim, Jews read which instructs Jews: "Remember (zachor) what Amalek did" in attacking the Israelites. The haftarah for Shabbat Zachor, or 1–34, describes Saul's encounter with Amalek and Saul's and Samuel's treatment of the Amalekite king Agag. Purim, in turn, commemorates the story of Esther and the Jewish people's victory over Haman's plan to kill the Jews, told in the Book of Esther. identifies Haman as an Agagite, and thus a descendant of Amalek. identifies the Agagites with the Amalekites. Alternatively, a Midrash tells the story that between King Agag's capture by Saul and his killing by Samuel, Agag fathered a child, from whom Haman in turn descended. Notes Further reading The parashah has parallels or is discussed in these sources: Biblical (right ear, thumb of right hand, and great toe of right foot). (preferring obedience to sacrifices). (the offering of our lips instead of bulls). (burnt offerings); (washing before the altar); (sacrifices); (sacrifices of thanksgiving); (sacrifices); (burnt offerings); (God's holy place); (sacrifices of thanksgiving); (sacrifices of thanksgiving); (anointing Aaron). Early nonrabbinic Philo. Allegorical Interpretation 3:45:129, 46:133, 50:147; On the Migration of Abraham 12:67; Who Is the Heir of Divine Things? 36:174; On the Life of Moses 2:29:150; The Special Laws 1:41:225,