The word chazon means prophesy; however, it also means vision. In fact, a chazzan is also an overseer. I once mentioned the beautiful words of Rav Nachman in his famous Torah 282, Azamra. Rav Nachman discusses the importance of seeing the nekuda tova in every person including oneself (which today is a major lacking that exists in people having healthy self-confidence). He then continues to explain that a chazzan is a person who is able to see the nekuda tova in each person, and makes a nigun out of the nekudos tovos. It’s a beautiful Torah, and greatly applies to our times and this Shabbas, as we hope that through seeing the good in each other, we can merit the redemption and turn Tisha B’Av into a Yom Tov.
Two weeks ago Shabbas morning in shul, I mentioned a beautiful idea from Rav Akiva Meir Hakohen of Lukeva. This Tzaddik didn’t leave much behind other than one peirush on Tehilim, that contains beautiful ideas. One of the ideas is regarding the Three Weeks. He explains based on the pasuk אך את שבתותי תשמורו the first word אך has the numerical value of 21. The 21 refers to the three weeks – 21 days from Shiva Asar B’Tamuz till Tisha B’Av. He explains that since the pasuk above implies that the 21 days are called Shabbas, it means that during the three weeks, each day is like a Shabbas during the year, and each Shabbas is higher than all the Shabbasos of the year. This is also echoed by the Ohev Yisrael that Shabbas Chazon is the highest Shabbas of the year.
Even without seeing the source in Kabbala which is elaborated on by the Sefer Sifsai Chen in his essays on the three weeks, it would seem logical that whenever there are great days of darkness and judgment there, there is also an opportunity for a great light, greater than during the rest of the year.
I want to add a deeper understanding of the above, and illustrate how to actualize darkness. I related a story about Rav Shlomke of Zvill. One day when he came home the house was in panic; his daughter was running a very high fever, and even the doctor seems to have given up hope for her. The Rebbe didn’t waste time; he announced that he was going to “find bizayon” (someone who would treat him shamefully) and that’s exactly what he did. The Rebbe was also a guardian for the Yeshiva, overseeing some rental apartments and store fronts. One of the store fronts was rented by a lady who just approaching her would set off a stream of curses, and especially if it was about the rent she had to pay.
The Rebbe seized the moment and walked right up to her to ask for the rent. The curses and shame he suffered from her response seemed unbearable to any onlooker, but for the Rebbe it was exactly what he needed. He came back home, and his daughter was like a new person, fully recovered. Months later, the daughter was again very sick; however, this time, when the Rebbe went to look for bizyonos, everyone showed him tremendous respect. He realized that this time he was dealing with a decree that couldn’t be overturned, and when he came back home, he found that his daughter had passed away.
This sad yet inspiring story personally touched me, and when I find myself in a challenging situation, I try to think how I can gain light from the darkness.
May we merit to see the true light of Tziyon bimhera beyamienu.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
