1. Dedication and Context of Shabbos Chazon
Today’s Torah and Tea is dedicated to the yahrzeit of Sora’s grandmother, Golda Rechel bas Mordechai, in whose memory we learn today. I had the privilege of meeting her after we got married, and she was a special person. This week is the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av—the fast commemorating the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. This period is marked by mourning and reflection, but as Chassidim and as taught by the Rebbe, we are encouraged to find positivity even in times of sadness. While some may focus on being down or upset during these days, our service to Hashem must not suffer from sadness. The Torah instructs us to observe certain laws during Tisha B’Av and the Three Weeks, especially as we enter the Nine Days beginning tonight with Rosh Chodesh. We refrain from eating meat, drinking wine, and making joyous celebrations—a subdued time indeed.
The Mishnah teaches: “When Av enters, we diminish joy” (mimma’atim b’simcha). This means we avoid joyful activities as a sign of mourning for the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash and our exile. However, Chassidus offers a deeper perspective: we can actually diminish the pain and troubles of Av through increasing in joy. The Rebbe encourages us to utilize these weeks not for despair but for hope—to study about the Beis HaMikdash and strengthen our belief that it will soon be rebuilt even more beautifully with the coming of Mashiach.
2. The Purpose of Mourning: Turning Sadness into Action
The Rebbe emphasizes that mourning for the Beis HaMikdash is not meant to make us despondent or depressed. Rather, it should motivate us to take positive action—to hasten redemption by learning about the Temple and performing mitzvos that bring Mashiach closer. Instead of focusing on what was lost, we are urged to look forward with trust and hope.
This approach is reflected in how Chassidus interprets mimma’atim b’simcha: not less joy, but using joy itself to lessen suffering. By engaging in Torah study about the Beis HaMikdash during this time, we are actively participating in its rebuilding on a spiritual level.
3. Shabbos Chazon: The Vision According to Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
A profound teaching comes from Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, a contemporary of the Alter Rebbe and renowned for always finding merit in every Jew. He would famously reinterpret situations positively—even when others were quick to criticize. For example, he once praised a man who was greasing his carriage wheels while still wearing his tallis and tefillin, seeing it as devotion rather than disrespect.
This spirit carries over into his interpretation of Shabbos Chazon. Literally, “Chazon” refers to the vision seen by Yeshayahu (Isaiah) in this week’s Haftorah—a vision warning about destruction unless there was repentance. This Haftorah is read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av, known as Shabbos Chazon.
Rebbe Levi Yitzchak turns this around: he says that on Shabbos Chazon every Jew is shown a vision—not just any vision but that of the Third Beis HaMikdash! While most people might say they haven’t seen anything with their physical eyes year after year, he explains that our neshama—soul—sees it subconsciously. This spiritual vision inspires us even if we aren’t consciously aware.
4. The Parable of the Suit: Earning Redemption
The Berditchever illustrates his point with a parable: A father sews a beautiful suit for his beloved son who ruins it through immaturity. The father gives him another suit which he also destroys. Finally, before making a third suit, the father tells his son he will only receive it when he proves he can care for it properly.
This mirrors Hashem giving us two Temples which were destroyed due to our actions. Now Hashem holds back giving us the Third Beis HaMikdash until we show ourselves ready through proper conduct and spiritual maturity. On Shabbos Chazon Hashem “shows” us this new suit—a glimpse of what awaits if we prove ourselves worthy.
The message is clear: each year at this time Hashem gives us another chance to demonstrate our readiness for redemption by improving ourselves and our connection to Him.
5. House vs Garment: Deepening Our Connection to Hashem
The metaphor can be extended further: why use a garment rather than a house? A house provides general shelter but doesn’t reveal much about its occupant beyond broad strokes (how many live there, how big it is). A garment, however, fits closely and expresses something personal about its wearer.
The Rebbe explains that Hashem desires not just a general connection with us (like living in His house), but an intimate one (like wearing His garment). The Beis HaMikdash was not just a structure but filled with specific details reflecting deep spiritual meaning—Kodesh Kodashim, various vessels, each aspect precise.
This teaches us that our relationship with Hashem should be detailed and personal—not just general love or connection but expressed through specific mitzvos and acts tailored uniquely to each individual’s life circumstances.
6. Genuine Service: Integrating Mitzvos into Daily Life
The lesson continues: some people claim they love all Jews or feel connected generally to Israel or Hashem without specifics—a “house-level” connection. But true connection must be like a garment: close-fitting and detailed in practice.
This means serving Hashem not only when it feels natural or easy but also when it requires effort or goes against personal inclinations. Sometimes love can be misguided (as when parents indulge children unwisely), or people have their own ideas that conflict with Torah values.
The goal is for every part of life—eating, working, relationships—to become an expression of serving Hashem specifically as He desires from us. When everything flows naturally from this identity, service becomes integrated rather than forced or compartmentalized.
7. From Exile to Redemption: Transforming Darkness into Light
The opportunity presented by Shabbos Chazon is precisely at our lowest point—right before Tisha B’Av, when mourning peaks—that we are shown this highest vision: what could be if we turn things around spiritually.
The word for exile (gola) becomes redemption (geula) simply by adding an Aleph—representing bringing awareness of Hashem into our situation transforms darkness into light. Our task is to take destruction (the literal meaning of “Chazon”) and transform it into redemption—into “Geula.” This applies both nationally as Jews longing for Mashiach and personally whenever facing challenges or low points in life.
8. Continuing Good Deeds: Elevating Souls Through Action
I want to share an encouraging letter from the Rebbe written to someone who lost her brother and had stopped writing due to heartbreak. The Rebbe reminded her—and all who mourn—that souls remain eternal even after physical passing (a belief shared universally). To benefit departed souls now unbound by physical limitations, one should increase good deeds even more than before their passing—this brings them pleasure wherever they are now.
This class is dedicated as an elevation for Golda Rechel bas Mordechai’s soul—demonstrating how learning Torah benefits those who have passed on regardless how many years ago they left this world.
May Hashem help that all souls remain healthy within bodies filled with happiness and strength—and may these days soon be transformed from mourning into true joy with only revealed good for all of us!