The Shabbat before Tisha B’Av (this Shabbat) is called “Shabbat Chazon,” because the scripture that is read after the Torah reading (the Haftorah) is called “Isaiah’s Vision (Chazon).” For three weeks before Tisha B’Av, the Haftorahs we read recount prophecies about the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. After Tisha B’Av, for seven weeks, we will read the 7 Haftorahs, which soften the effects of the words of rebuke and the description of tragic events.
During these weeks, there is a spirit of sadness as we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple. According to the philosophy of some Chassidic sects, this solemnity is combined with the hope that the Third Holy Temple will soon be rebuilt and that the Messiah will arrive soon. Therefore, this time is not just one of sadness, but of eager anticipation for the ideal era that will follow our long exile.
On Shabbat Chazon, it is said that every Jew sees a personal vision of the Third Holy Temple. What is the purpose of this vision? Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev gives the following parable. A king made a beautiful suit for his only son, who seemed to enjoy the present. However, one day didn’t pass before the suit was stained, torn and ruined (how familiar to us Moms who do laundry and mending!). The king forgave his son, and made him a second suit. This suit lasted a bit longer, but he still ruined it as badly as the first. The king decided on another plan. He wanted to give his son the finest things, but he should be able to appreciate the value of his father’s gifts. The king made a splendid suit, that was even finer than the other two, and hid the suit in the closet. Every once in a while, he would take the suit out of the closet and show his son. This caused his son to long so keenly for the suit that he promised not to damage it, and to take good care of it. The king eventually gave his son the suit.
The three suits are the three Holy Temples, two of which were destroyed because of our carelessness and sins, and the Third is the one G-d is going to give to us once we prove ourselves worthy. On Shabbat Chazon, we have the opportunity to tell Hashem, “We want to be worthy. We’ll take care of your gifts this time.”