8/2/2025

THIS COMING SHABBATH IS ‘SHABBATH CHAZON’

Shabbath Chazon is the “Sabbath of the Vision” and is always the Sabbath which immediately precedes the fast of the 5th month, Tisha B’av, on which both of the Temples at Yerushalayim were destroyed. It is the last of “the three admonition readings,” which reflect the somber mood between the scriptural “Fast of the fourth month” and the “Fast of the Fifth Month” (Zekaryah 8:19), and are found in the haftaroth of Parashoth Mattoth, Massey, and Devarym. It is called the Sabbath of Vision, because the first words of the haftarah for the day are “Chazon Yeshayahu” – “Isaiah’s Vision.” The scripture readings are: Devarym 1:1-3:22 and Yeshayahu 1:1-27.

“The vision of Yeshayahu son of Amots, which he saw concerning Yehuḏah and Yerushalayim in the days of Uzziyahu, Yotham, Aḥaz, Ḥizqiyahu – sovereigns of Yehuḏah.

“Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth! For YHWH has spoken, ‘I have reared and brought up children, but they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s crib – Yisra’el does not know, My people have not understood. Alas, sinning nation, a people loaded with crookedness, a seed of evil-doers, sons acting corruptly! They have forsaken YHWH, they have provoked the Set-apart One of Yisra’el, they went backward. Why should you be stricken anymore? You continue in apostasy! All the head is sick, and all the heart faints. From the sole of the foot, to the head, there is no soundness in it – wounds and bruises and open sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment.

“Your land is laid waste, your cities are burned with fire, strangers devour your land in your presence. And it is laid waste, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Tsiyon is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a hut in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.’

“Unless YHWH of hosts had left to us a small remnant, we would have become like Sedom, we would have been made like Amorah. Hear the word of YHWH, you rulers of Sedom; give ear to the Torah of our Elohim, you people of Amorah! ‘Of what use to Me are your many sacrifices?’ declares YHWH. ‘I have had enough of ascending offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courtyards? Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New moons, Sabbaths, the calling of gatherings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly. My soul hates your New moons and your appointed times, they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. And when you spread out your hands, I hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I do not hear. Your hands have become filled with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Stop doing evil! Learn to do excellent! Seek judgement, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,’ says YHWH. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you submit and obey, you shall eat the excellent of the land.’”

May you all recognize, understand, and repent of your sins before He who sits on high, then turn and be forgiven through the blood of our blessed Messiah, so that you can reign with YHWH and with His son in the coming Kingdom.

YHWH im’ka, Ovadyah