This Shabbos is called Shabbat Chazon ("Shabbat of Vision") named after the opening words of the day's Haftorah reading. 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 and bring about the Redemption and the rebuilding of the Temple. May it be speedily! Links: The Holy Temple: an Anthology, Shabbat of Vision About the "Three of Rebuke" http://www.thethreeweeks.com
Because of the holiness of Shabbat, the Fast of the Tish'ah B'Av is observed this Sunday, Av 10. The fast mourns the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Israel.
During this fast, that begins at the close of Shabbos (in Houston, 8:04 pm), we abstain from eating and drinking, bathing, the wearing of leather footwear, and marital relations. It is customary to sit on the floor or a low seat until after mid-day. Torah study is restricted to laws of mourning, passages describing the destruction of the Temple, and the like. The tefillin are worn only during the afternoon Minchah prayers. For the complete Tisha B'av schedule, see below. Link: Laws of Tish'ah B'Av
Aug 18, THE WHITE PARTY final advance ticket sales expires Aug. 15. Gain access now to the party for Young Jewish Proffesionals of the summer!www.yjphouston.org
Shabbos Chazon, Parshas Devarim
Friday, 8 Av, August 12
Services at 7:30 pm
7:47 pm Candle Lighting
Shabbos, 9 Av, August 13
9:00 Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis
Kiddush
2:00 pm Early Mincha
8:04 Tish Ba'av Fast Begins
8:41 pm Shabbos Ends – say “Baruch Hamavdil Ben Kodesh L’Chol”
* Remove Leather Shoes
9:15 pm Maariv & Eicha
Sunday, 10 Av - Tisha B’av, August 14
8:30 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
9:30 am Kinos - Lamentations
7:15pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
Living Torah
8:28 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Fast Ends
Kiddush Levana
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie