Valuable Vision

By: Mrs. Shira Smiles

The Jewish people do not only celebrate holidays of joy and grandeur. We also devote time to focusing on our communal failures and tragedies. In fact, we remember the time of our greatest loss—the destruction of our Holy Temple—for a full three-week period, from the seventeenth of Tammuz to the ninth of Av.

Such a long focus on our tragedy would appear to be depressing. However, it all depends on one’s perspective. If we focus on ourselves, on our failings and subsequent suffering, commemorating the tragedy for so long is self-defeating. But if we concentrate on Hakadosh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed be He) and understand that whatever happens to us is through His Divine guidance and Providence, then we can accept our tribulations with an element of joy, knowing that these, too, are a manifestation of G-d’s love for us.

We can understand that Hashem, our Father, has raised us, but we have rebelled against Him. Nevertheless, although He is forced to reprimand and punish us, He does so out of love, so that we will correct our ways and grow properly, just as any parent raising a child would do. Can we recognize G-d’s love in difficult times, when His mercy seems hidden from us? We must not give up hope during times of trial. Rather, we must pursue Him, beseeching Him to lovingly show us His face.

This is the concept that lies at the heart of Shabbat Chazon—the Shabbat of vision. It is the last of the three haftarot of tragedy read before Tishah B’Av, one for each of the Three Weeks. The designation comes from the first word of this week’s haftarah: “The vision of Isaiah…”

The visions in these haftarot seem full of impending doom, for they foretell the quickly approaching hordes that will overrun Israel and destroy the Holy Temple. Nevertheless, upon closer inspection, one can discern a glimmer of hope even in these foreboding prophecies.

How does Jeremiah, in the first haftarah, envision this prophecy? He sees the rod of an almond tree. Within this image lies the hope that will turn despair into future joy. Right now, this rod is a mere stick, barren of any leaves, buds, or fruit. But in twenty-one days, the almond tree will blossom and bear fruit.

So, too, in the twenty-one days from the 17th of Tammuz to the ninth of Av—the days that seem darkest and most empty for our nation—the potential for growth and rejuvenation is implanted within us. This desolation was necessary so that new spiritual life could spring forth, much like a gardener who prunes trees to allow the sunlight in so that the new growth will be vibrant and healthy.

The greater vision of this time is to internalize Hashem’s love for us, in good times and bad, and to open our hearts to His Presence—to know Him each day, and to return Him to our hearts, the seat of our emotions and passions.

At the end of Tishah B’Av, we bless the new moon, the ultimate symbol of new hope. It will reach its fullness on the fifteenth of Av (Tu B’Av), traditionally a day of great joy and dancing.

Hashem supports us and Hashem loves us, both in the days of our joy and especially in the days of our tribulation and exile. We must look beyond the barren rod to its potential. The almond branch will bear fruit, and our term of exile will help perfect us so that we may merit the final redemption speedily, in our days. 

Mrs. Shira Smiles, a lecturer, author and curriculum developer, is a member of the Mizrachi Speaker Bureau (Mizrachi.org/speakers).