Reminder: Special Shabbatot begin tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first of the special Shabbatot (Sabbaths) leading up to Pesach (Passover): Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Zachor, Shabbat Parah, Shabbat HaChodesh, and Shabbat HaGadol. Several years ago, I devised a mnemonic device (aide-memoire/memory aid) so that I wouldn't forget the proper order of these Shabbatot, and maybe it'll help you, too: Anachnu notnim Shekalim liZkor et Parah haAdumah baChodesh HaGadol. Rough translation: We give Shekalim to Remember the Red Cow in the Month of Greatness.

All of these Shabbatot have a special maftir reading from a second sefer Torah/Torah (Pentateuch scroll) and a special haftarah, except for Shabbat HaGadol, which has a special haftarah, but no special maftir and no second scroll.

In like fashion, Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return [Repentance]), the Shabbat between Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, has a special haftarah, but no special maftir and no second scroll.

Friday, March 2, 2012 update:
You can read the special pre-Pesach Maftir readings in English here.