Shabbat of Vision - The Shabbat before the Ninth of Av is called Shabbat Chazon ("Shabbat of Vision") after the opening words of the day's reading from the prophets ("haftara"), which is the third of the series of readings known as "The Three of Rebuke." On this Shabbat, say the Chassidic masters, we are granted a vision of the Third Temple; we may not see it with our physical eyes, but our souls see it, and are empowered to break free of our present state of galut (exile and spiritual displacement) and bring about the Redemption and the rebuilding of the Temple. Links: The Holy Temple: an Anthology, Shabbat of Vision About the "Three of Rebuke". Tisha B'Av - Disease and despair are darkening our world. Fear and hatred, rage and anger, loss and loneliness have become keywords in our lives. Tisha B'av - the 9th of Av - marks the date when both of our Holy Temples were destroyed, and spiritual darkness in exile began. A sad day, indeed. It is reserved as a day of mourning, fasting and lamentation. But even the saddest date on the Jewish calendar, cannot be relegated to bitterness and suffering as an end for itself. As tradition has it, Tisha b'Av is also the birthday of our Redeemer. Salvation and redemption is born! This, a timely reminder that when surrounded by utter despair, forever a better world beckons. Hope and joy, peace and unity are not just words. Rather, they are a reality that has been promised to us from on High. We are believers, the children of believers. On our lips and in our hearts is embedded, Ani Maamin - We Believe! Furthermore, Torah tells us; "Whomever mourns over the Holy Temple, will merit to see it rebuilt." Shabbat evening, the Book of Eicha (Lamentations) is read. Sitting on low chairs in a dimly lit Shul, wearing non-leather shoes, one could hear the quiet, timeless, soul-stirring tune of "Eichah" steadily grow, as together in one voice we recall; "How much longer must we sit alone... Like widows mourning.. We long to be reunited, together, in Jerusalem." May we merit to celebrate Tisha B'Av this year together with Moshiach and the rebuilding of our third Holy Temple, AMEN! Click Here for Laws & Customs of Tisha B'Av Next Shabbos Nachamu is also Tu B'Av. In celebration of this special day we will have our annual White Party at Houston Axe Throwing. www.yjphouston.org/whiteaxe What is the connection between Tu B'Av, wearing white at a white party and axe throwing? Read all about it this week's Jewish Herald Voice - CLICK HERE Upcoming Events: Shabbos Chazon Parshas Devarim & Tisha B'Av Friday, July 16, 7 Av Shabbos, July 17, 8 Av Sunday, July 18, 9 Av - Tisha B'av Monday, July 19, 10 Av Thursday, July 22, 13 Av
This Shabbos Chazon is unique since the fast of Tisha B'Av begins (in Houston at 8:23 pm) before Shabbos ends (9:03 pm). We will have an early mincha so people can eat until sunset. Please plan to stay after davening for kiddush, so we can do the early Mincha. If one is at home at 9:03 PM, the words "Boruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh L'chol," should be said marking the end of Shabbat and then one is able to drive to Shul for services.
Click Here to Download a copy of Eichah, Lamentations
Click Here for The Book of Lamentations Online
Click Here for Kinos and Eicha On Smart Siddur App
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 8:05 pm
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by a Shabbos Kiddush & Farbengen
Refrain from general Torah study at 1:26 pm
Early Mincha at 2:03 pm
No Pirkei Avos, No Egg & Ash
Fast begins at 8:23 pm
Shabbos ends 9:03 pm
Say Baruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh L'Chol
Change out of leather shoes, leave on Shabbos clothes
Maariv & Havdalla Candle 9:15 pm
Megilat Eicha - Book of Lamentations 9:30 pm
Followed by a moving documentary film, “The Wave”
Ritual wash (negel vasser) only to knuckles
8:30 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
No Talis & Tefillin by Shacharis
9:30 am Kinos - Lamentations
1:27 pm Midday - Resume sitting normally
7:30 pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
8:50 pm Maariv, Havdalla (on wine only) & Fast Ends
Kiddush Levanah
1:28 pm Nine day mourning practices cease (i.e. meat and wine, music, recreational bathing)
7:30 pm YJP Houston The White Party - Axe Throwing celebrating Tu B’Av - www.yjphouston.org/whiteaxe
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