What is it?
The Shabbat before the ninth of Av is called “Shabbat Chazon” (Shabbat of Vision) after the Haftarah reading that begins with the words “Chazon Yeshayahu…” (The Vision of Isaiah…).
Another reason for the name is that the word “chazon” means vision or appearance. On this Shabbat, God shows every Jew a vision of the Third Temple.
It can be compared to a child whose father sewed a nice garment for him, but the child tore it with his “bad” behavior. The father sewed another garment, and the child tore that one as well. The third time, the father sewed the garment but did not give it to the child. He showed it to the child from time to time to provoke his desire to receive the garment, which would lead the child to improve his behavior, and only then would he be allowed to wear the garment.
After the First and Second Temples were destroyed due to our negative actions, God shows every Jew once a year the vision of the Third Temple. This vision awakens in us the longing to build the Third Temple and, in the process, to improve our actions.
Don’t you see? It’s not an issue with your “glasses”… This vision is a spiritual revelation that our soul perceives, and through the power of this vision, it can also influence our desires and actions.
- On Shabbat Chazon, there are no mourning practices observed, so we dress in Shabbat clothes and behave as on any other Shabbat.
- Since it is forbidden to drink wine during these days, the “Havdalah” wine, which is given to a child who has not yet reached the age of nine, should not be given. When there is no one to give it to, one can drink it as usual.
