Their destruction represents the greatest tragedy in Jewish history, for it marks our descent into the state of physical exile and spiritual displacement in which we still find ourselves today. Thus the destruction is mourned as a tragedy that affects our lives today, 2,000 years later, no less than the generations that experienced it firsthand. At the same time, Tisha B’av has the potential to become the most joyous day, as it is the birthday of Moshiach, the future redeemer of the Jewish people. We hope and pray every day for Moshiach to come and transform the sadness into happiness, and Tisha B’av will be the greatest Jewish holiday. This year, we have a small taste of that. Because the 9th of Av is on Shabbat this year, the fast is postponed until Sunday. As such, not only do we not mourn on Shabbat, but we celebrate and observe Shabbat just as we would any other week, and perhaps even more, since we need to make a point of avoiding any semblance of mourning. Of course, the YJP First Fridays is happening and will start the transformation with some Shabbat fun and games! With a taste of what Tisha B’av will be like in the era of redemption, we pray that it becomes permanent already this year, and we celebrate the day with Moshiach himself! Good Shabbos! Rabbi Chaim & Chanie UPCOMING EVENTS This Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazon, Shabbat of Vision. It is the opening words of the day's 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 galus and bring about the Redemption and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash! Links: The Holy Temple: an Anthology, Shabbat of Vision, About the "Three of Rebuke", www.thethreeweeks.com Because of the holiness of Shabbat, the Tisha Bav fast, mourning the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Israel, is postponed to after Shabbat. The fast begins Saturday at sunset, and continues through Sunday, Av 10, till nightfall. See full schedule below. See "Laws and Customs" for tomorrow, Av 10, for the particular observances of the fast day. Links: Mitzvah Minute: Tisha b'Av, Laws of Tishah B'Av. HEADS UP SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR THIS SHABBOS: We will have Mincha at Chabad of Uptown at the earliest time of 2:02 pm, so all can eat up until the fast begins when sun sets on Saturday at 8:11 pm. Maariv and reading of Eicha will be at 9:05 pm, 15 minutes after Shabbos ends at 8:49 pm. Complete schedule below. Shabbos Chazon Parshas Devarim Friday, August 5, 8 Av Shabbos, August 6, 9 Av Sunday, August 7, 10 Av - Tisha B'av (Observed) Mon.-Fri., August 8-12, 11-15 Av - Shacharis at 6:45 am Thursday, August 11, Av 14 Good Shabbos!
Tisha B’av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, when we mourn the destruction of both Holy Temples, in 423 BCE and 69 CE.
This Shabbos is Tisha B'Av that gets delayed to be observed on Saturday night when the sun sets on Shabbos itself before Shabbos actually ends.
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:53 pm
RSVP for YJP Games Shabbat Themed First Fridays
www.yjphouston.org/gamesshabbat
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbengen
Refrain from general Torah study at 1:27 pm
Early Mincha at 2:02 pm
No Pirkei Avos, No Egg & Ash
Fast begins at 8:11 pm
Shabbos ends 8:49 pm
Say Baruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh L'Chol
Change out of leather shoes, leave on Shabbos clothes
Maariv & Havdalla Candle 9:05 pm
Megilat Eicha - Book of Lamentations 9:20 pm
Followed by a moving documentary film, "Triumph of Hope"
Ritual wash (negel vasser) only to knuckles
8:00 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
No Talis & Tefillin by Shacharis
9:00 am Kinos - Lamentations
1:27 pm Midday - Resume sitting normally
7:15 pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
8:36 pm Maariv, Havdalla (on wine only) & Fast Ends
Kiddush Levanah
Refrain from meat and wine tonight. All other mourning practices cease.
YJP Houston The White Party with Illusionist Ilan Smith
7:30 pm www.yjphouston.org/ilansmith
ב"ה