Traditionally, the Shabbat preceding the fast of Tisha B’Av is called Shabbat Chazon, because the Haftorah read in the synagogue begins with the words “Chazon Yeshayahu” – the vision of Isaiah. The Chasidic masters reveal a deeper dimension to the name “Shabbat of Vision”: On this day every Jew is shown a vision of the third Holy Temple that will be rebuilt in the Messianic era. While our physical eyes are not privy to this magnificent vision – our souls are infused with a special energy as a result of this spiritual vision.
As the Jewish world mourns the destruction of the Temple and the subsequent exile we are still currently experiencing, the question is often raised: what for? What could possibly be the value in the absence of the Temple and such a severe dispersion of our people? Is there no better way to rehabilitate us and change our behavior for the better?
The Rebbe approaches this difficult subject through analyzing the phenomenon of sleep. Would not humanity be far more productive if humans did not have the debilitating condition of fatigue? Could humans not have been created to be awake, aware and alert 24/7 for 120 years?
Although sleep may be a period of no revealed productivity, clearly it offers an opportunity for renewal. If we were to be awake all the time we would never experience being refreshed.
The purpose of creation is to allow every human being to become a full partner with the Creator in creation. Just as Hashem created a brand new world – so too His “partners” need to engage in constant renewal. True greatness is achieved only after a recession of sorts.
In addition to the destruction of the Temple being a consequence of our collective negative behavior – it is also the catalyst for the construction of a greater and grander edifice for G-d. The dispersion in exile motivated the greatest developments of Jewish academia and development.
The soul is granted a glimpse of the Third Temple on this Shabbat to invigorate the Jew to remember that the long journey of exile leads to the greatest achievement in Jewish history. Until then, we need to engage in constant renewal in every aspect of Judaism.
This week I witnessed a renewal of sorts right here at the Chabad House. Over 30 children are being treated to a top notch camp experience immersed in the beautiful lessons of the Torah at Camp Gan Israel. The counselors from out of town and the local volunteers are doing a fabulous job and the children are having a blast of a time!
Thank you Rabbi Levi and Shainy for producing such a beautiful program for the El Paso Jewish community. Every summer the camp fresh and renewed with more and more children.
Click here to view the online photo album of Camp Gan Israel.