The Third Suit

This Sunday, the ninth day of the month of Av (“Tisha B’Av”) we fast and mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Both the first Temple (833–423 BCE) and the second Temple (349 BCE–69 CE) were destroyed on this date. The Shabbat preceding the fast day is called the “Shabbat of Vision,” for on this Shabbat we read a chapter from the Prophets that begins, “The vision of Isaiah . . .”

But there is also a deeper significance to the name “Shabbat of Vision,” expressed by chassidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev with the following metaphor:

A father once prepared a beautiful suit of clothes for his son. But the child neglected his father’s gift, and soon the suit was in tatters. The father gave the child a second suit of clothes; this one, too, was ruined by the child’s carelessness. So, the father made a third suit. This time, however, he withholds it from his son. Every once in a while, on special and opportune times, he shows the suit to the child, explaining that when the child learns to appreciate and properly care for the gift, it will be given to him. This induces the child to improve his behavior, until it gradually becomes second nature to him—at which time he will be worthy of his father’s gift. On the “Shabbat of Vision,” says Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, each and every one of us is granted a vision of the third and final Temple—a vision that, to paraphrase the Talmud, “though we do not ourselves see, our souls see.” This vision evokes a profound response in us, even if we are not consciously aware of the cause of our sudden inspiration.

This week, in preparation for Tisha B’Av, we displayed a video on our tank depicting the Bais Hamikdash (the Holy Temple). We encouraged visitors to learn about the בית המקדש.

We celebrated 3 Bar Mitzvahs of men who never put on Tefilin before. In addition, we helped 45 men lay Tefilin this week.

Remember! Each Mitzvah brings us closer to the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash, may it be speedily in our days!

Candle lighting this week is before 8:07 PM. The fast starts on Shabbos, July 17th, at 8:25 PM, although some restrictions only start at the conclusion of Shabbos, after 9:13 PM.

To learn more about the fast, click here: https://www.chabad.org/.../Tisha-BAv-on-Shabbat-or-Sunday...

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