The Greatest Good Comes Through Our Struggles

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This week's parsha, Devarim, is always read on the Shabbos before Tisha B'Av or on Tisha B'Av itself and it's called Shabbos Chazon, because we read the Haftora of Chazon Yeshayahu, the Vision of Isaiah. 

Nothing is by chance, being that parshas Devarim is always Shabbos Chazon, there has to be a connection between Devarim and Shabbos Chazon. What is that connection? 

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Bardichev said that on Shabbos Chazon we are shown a vision of the third Temple, a vision from a distance and this is the essence of Shabbos Chazon. 

The book of Devarim is called Mishneh Torah. Mishneh Torah is different from the first four books of the Torah, in that the first four books are talking to the generation of the desert and Devarim is talking to the generation that were going to enter the Land of Israel and therefore would have to know certain things that the generation of the desert didn't have to deal with. 

The difference between the generation of the desert and the generation that entered the Land, is that the generation of the desert was a generation of knowledge, they were at the level of Moshe, who saw G-dliness. However the generation that entered the Land they were involved in physical pursuits, and they didn't see G-dliness, they only heard from their fathers and teachers. As it says in next week's parsha, "And now Israel listen." 

What is the difference between seeing and hearing? When you see something it is unquestionable, no one can convince you out of it, because you saw it. On the other hand, when you hear something, no matter how convincing it is you can be talked out of it if someone questions it, has a more convincing story or argument. 

Therefore the generation that entered the Land had to be told about self sacrifice, because they only heard about G-dliness, they didn't see. However the generation of the desert didn't have to be told about self sacrifice, because they saw G-dliness. 

Although the generation that entered the Land was on a lower level than the generation of the desert, nevertheless they had an advantage over the generation of the desert of which it says, "For you have not yet come to the resting place or to the inheritance, which Hashem your G-d is giving you." Which they could only have after they entered the Land of Israel. Because the true intention of Hashem is specifically brought to fruition through being involved in the physical. Only then can you acquire the resting place and inheritance. 

So Devarim, which is the beginning of Mishneh Torah, is about a descent in holiness, but it is specifically through this descent that brings us to the true ascent. 

The same is true about Shabbos Chazon, on one hand, it comes in the darkest time of year, the nine days, on the Shabbos before Tisha B'Av or on Tisha B'Av itself, when both of our Temples were destroyed. On the other hand, specifically through this descent that brings the ultimate ascent. As the Holy Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Bardichev said that on Shabbos Chazon we are shown a vision of the third Temple. 

The same is true in every challenge or even tragedy, there is an opportunity. And if you train yourself to look for the opportunity, you will be able to take control of the situation and even turn it into a positive or if it can't be turned into something good, at least something good could come out of it. You should ask yourself these questions. What does Hashem want me to gain from this? What does Hashem want me to learn from this? How can I use this for something positive? 

When I was diagnosed with ALS, it was devastating to me and my family. By taking this attitude, I was filled with a mission to uplift as many as I can through these articles and my wife Dina became one of the most inspirational speakers and has uplifted tens of thousands. It doesn't fix the problem, but it makes our lives more meaningful and therefore more bearable. 

May we merit to see these days of darkness turn to light and the happiest days on the calendar and may we merit to see the construction of the third Temple that will be built by Moshiach. May he come soon.