Chassidim, and the Rebbes of Chabad in particular, have long been accused of a certain naivete.

Everything is good. Everything will be good. Always positive, always optimistic, always finding light in the darkest places.

To some people, this can be frustrating. Is it genuine faith, or simply denial? Is Chassidic optimism profound, or perhaps a little silly?

This past Shabbat would appear to be a case in point.

The final Shabbat of the Three Weeks, the national period of mourning for the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, immediately precedes Tisha B’Av, the day on which both Temples were destroyed, and so many tragedies befell the Jewish people. It is known as Shabbat Chazon, the “Shabbat of Vision,” taking its name from the opening word of the Haftarah: Chazon Yeshayahu – “The vision of Isaiah.”

But Isaiah’s vision is hardly encouraging. It is a dark and ominous warning about the consequences of the Jewish people’s behavior and the destruction that will follow.

And yet, the Chassidic masters teach that it is called the Shabbat of Vision because, on this Shabbat, the soul of every Jew is shown a vision of the future Temple, the coming of Mashiach, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The prophet is describing destruction, and Chassidim see a magnificent new Temple? Talk about turning something on........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)