A Visionary Mindset
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers changed the course of history with the first successful airplane flight, embodying the power of visionary thinking. While most innovators of the time focused on improving existing modes of transportation, the Wright brothers dared to imagine something entirely new—a future where humans could soar through the sky.
This spirit of visionary leadership isn’t reserved for a select few. It’s a mindset we can all cultivate. Where others see problems, visionaries see potential. While most focus on the limitations of reality, visionary leaders imagine what could be.
Famed author and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel recounts in his memoirs a deeply moving encounter with the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in the early 1960s. After an intense and soul-searching conversation, Wiesel—who had lost the ability to cry following the trauma of his father’s death in Buchenwald—asked the Rebbe to help him cry again. The Rebbe’s reply was both surprising and profound: “That’s not enough. I shall teach you to sing.”
The Rebbe was not blind to the suffering of the world. Having lived through the horrors of Soviet oppression and losing close family members in the Holocaust, he was deeply aware of humanity’s darkest moments. Yet his leadership sparked a global revival of Jewish life, rooted not in sorrow but in joy. He taught that Judaism is not merely about surviving the past but joyfully embracing the future.
In his inaugural address in 1951, the Rebbe quoted a verse from Song of Songs describing this world as G-d’s garden. He empowered his followers to uncover the beauty within the world and to work toward a time of peace, unity, and redemption with the coming of Moshiach.
He saw infinite potential in the world—and in every individual—and encouraged us to “fly” beyond mere survival.
This week, as we begin reading Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy), we encounter Moses' final speech to the Jewish people. The Talmud teaches that Moses explained the Torah in 70 languages.
At that time, all the Israelites understood Hebrew. So why the need for translation?
On a deeper level, Moses wasn’t just translating words—he was translating purpose. He foresaw a time when Jews would be scattered across the globe, navigating diverse cultures and worldviews that might seem at odds with Judaism. His act of translation was an invitation: to find relevance, meaning, and connection in the Torah no matter where we are or what language we speak.
Moses understood that modernity wouldn’t be a threat to Judaism—it would be an opportunity. He empowered us to bring divine values into our marriages, communities, careers, and worldviews. The challenge of progress is not to retreat, but to translate—to make G-d’s timeless wisdom speak in the language of our time.
This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Chazon, the "Shabbat of Vision," named for the prophetic vision of Isaiah read in this week’s Haftorah. It foretells the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem—a tragedy we mourn this Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night) and Sunday on the fast of the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av).
But even in destruction, our tradition finds hope. The Jerusalem Talmud teaches that on the very day the Temple was destroyed, the soul of Moshiach—our future redeemer—was born (Berachot 2:4).
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740–1809) explained that on Shabbat Chazon, each of us is shown a vision of the future Third Temple.
He illustrated this with a parable: A father sewed a beautiful garment for his son, who tore it. The father made another—and again, it was destroyed. A third garment was prepared, but this time the father didn’t let the child wear it. Instead, he only let him see it occasionally, telling him that when he learned to behave properly, the garment would be his to wear.
This vision instilled longing and inspired change. Over time, the child’s good behavior became second nature, and he was finally given the garment.
Likewise, on Shabbos Chazon, the soul sees the Third Temple to awaken and inspire us to grow. Even if we don't consciously perceive it, the vision impacts our soul deeply and impacts our behavior. And because this is a glimpse of the eternal Temple, its influence is enduring—planted within us as a divine gift to guide our transformation.
So let us respond to this vision. Let us do one more mitzvah. Let us give extra charity. Let us celebrate this Shabbat with joy, together with family and friends, and let us pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
As the prophet Zechariah (8:19) proclaims, in the time of Redemption, the 9th of Av will be transformed from a day of mourning to one of celebration.
May we merit to celebrate that day—together, in Jerusalem.
