From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, The Head of Halacha Yomit
(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK)
Paradoxical Feelings; Transitioning From Shabbat to Tisha B’Av
This Shabbat, which precedes Tisha B’Av, is called Shabbat Chazon based on the Haphtarah that we shall read after Kriyat Ha’Torah, “Chazon Yeshayahu ben Amotz”. All the three Shabbatot which are before Tisha B’Av are called the “Three of punishment,” this is because each of the Haphtarot deal with rebuke and aspects of the destruction [of the Bet HaMikdash] and sins which caused it.
The Shabbatot after Tish B’Av are called the “Seven of Condolences,” because these Haphtarot contain words of condolence and Hashem’s love for Am Yisrael also whilst they are in exile. When Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l would read the words of the prophets in these Haphtarot, which are full of Hashem’s love for His people, his eyes would fill with emotional tears. His voice would be chocked due to his extreme closeness and feeling of Hashem’s love for His people. The whole congregation would likewise mirror him with their heartfelt emotion.
On this Shabbat, erev Tisha B’Av, a person shouldn’t deviate from anything that would normally be done on any other Shabbat in the year, whether in regard to food, songs or not mentioning any aspect of the destruction and mourning on Shabbat. Maran HaChidah z”l (Rebbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai 1724-1806) wrote that the minhag in Eretz Yisrael and Egypt and the other large Turkish cities, was not to change on Shabbat Chazon anything compared to the other Shabbatot. One should place on the table the same food as all year round in order to make a great and precious gift in honour of the Shabbat.
Maran HaChidah further wrote that some have the custom ahead of Tisha B’Av to read in the Bet Kenesset a “kinah” (lament) with rhymes and the like. He asserted that people shouldn’t do this and especially as this is done in the bet Kenesset, thus making it like a public display of mourning, which is forbidden by halachah. They should annul their custom. This is also the ruling of Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef zt”l (Chazon Ovadia p. 155).
It is permitted to sing joyous holy songs during the Shabbat meals. Since even during the week close to Tisha B’Av we have already explained that there is no prohibition to sing, as only singing with music is forbidden. Either way, on Shabbat one may certainly be lenient with this, even with great joy, to honour Shabbat, as it is the first among the holy days of assembly.
One must consider the “sharp transition” between Shabbat and Tisha B’Av. Because in truth, even though the Bet HaMikdash has been destroyed, and despite all the tragedies that have befallen Am Yisrael through the generations, the eternal promise that Hashem assured Yeshayah HaNavi still stands true “…and My words that I have placed in your mouth will not be withdrawn from your mouth nor from the mouth of your offspring nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring, said Hashem, from this moment and forever” (Yeshaya 59:21). With all the bad situations that effected Am Yisrael, the Torah was always in our hands! Throughout the generations, it is the guarantee that Am Yisrael will succeed in all the exiles! Baruch Hahem, already in our time, many have made Aliyah and succeeded in their endeavours. Without a doubt, they will surely merit to the coming of Mashiach Tzidkenu, to witness the complete redemption. We haven’t separated from our Holy Torah, even though the “House of our Lives” has been destroyed and we haven’t yet achieved a complete redemption.
It is for this reason that only with Am Yisrael do we find such a special control over emotion. On the one hand Shabbat Kodesh, the Shabbat Queen, on the other hand, immediately afterwards, Tisha B’Av which is a day of national mourning. On Shabbat, we behave as we should on Sabbat, and on Tisha B’Av, we behave as we should behave on Tisha B’Av.
This is because Am Yisrael are holy, driven by the Holy Torah, and they know that despite all the pain, we have, Baruch Hashem, much to be happy for and to rely on all the favours, which Hashem Yitbarach has bestowed upon us. To realise that Hashem Yitbarach still loves Am Yisrael and that He is destined to provide us with all the comforts that we shall read b’ezrat Hashem in the coming Shabbatot.
With recent events alone, we have seen with our own eyes, that Hashem Yitbarach loves Am Yisrael, all of Am Yisrael. Yet on Tisha B’Av, despite this, we are at saddened by the sorrow of the Shechinah and agony of Am Yisrael. We consider everything that has happened to us, and as it were, we cry before Hashem Yitbarach, like a son before his Father, that He fight our battles and redeem us from all our troubles. These are the times that we focus our hearts that all the troubles that have rolled onto us are due to Am Yisrael’s sins, who disregarded observing Shabbat, modesty, loving others and honouring the Torah. These are the points that require remedying, both in a general sense and also in a communal vein.
May it be Hashem’s will that we hear and be told good news, salvation and comfort.
Shabbat Shalom u’mevorach.
