This Shabbath is known among Sefaradim as Shabbath Ekhah—the Shabbath of Lamentations—and throughout the broader Jewish world as Shabbath Ḥazon, the Shabbath of Vision. The first name refers to the scroll of Ekhah read on the Ninth of the Fifth Month (Tish‘ah beAb), while the second refers to the vision of the prophet Yesha‘yahu, read on the Shabbath preceding the fast of that month.
The prophet Yesha‘yahu declares:
“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for ADONAY has spoken:
I have reared and raised sons—but they have rebelled against Me.
The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s trough,
But Israel does not know—My people does not consider.”
How many times do we feel the pain of a child who does not listen? In those moments, a parent stands before a great challenge. On the one hand, if he has already tried various methods to correct his child, he risks losing control by giving up. On the other hand, if he remains passive, he risks allowing the child to fall deeper into ruin.
According to psychologists, there are four primary parenting styles:
- Authoritarian: These parents impose strict rules and expect them to be followed without question. When the child asks “why?”, the response may simply be: “Because I said so.” Such parents are demanding but emotionally unresponsive.
- Authoritative: These parents also set clear rules, but they are responsive and open to dialogue. When their children fall short, they guide with compassion and forgiveness rather than harsh punishment.
- Permissive: Sometimes called indulgent, these parents set few expectations and avoid discipline. They have low demands for self-regulation or maturity.
- Neglectful: Marked by low engagement and minimal communication, these parents may meet the child’s basic needs but are absent from their emotional and moral development. In extreme cases, they may reject or abandon the child’s deeper needs altogether.
The Holy One, blessed is He, says to His rebellious child, Israel:
“Come now, let us reason together…
Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
In the Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate Shabbath, Rabbi Yehudah bar Pazzi explains:
“‘Though your sins be like scarlet’—this refers to the First Temple;
‘Though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool’—this refers to the Second Temple.”
The Hakhamim add:
“If a man’s sins are like scarlet, they shall become white like snow. If they are even worse, they shall become like wool.”
(T. Yerushalmi Shabbath 9:3)
Our sages teach that the First Temple was destroyed due to idolatry, bloodshed, and sexual immorality. The Second Temple, however, was destroyed due to baseless hatred (sin’ath ḥinnam). According to the sages’ analysis, the sins of the Second Temple period were even greater than those of the First.
Now, after nearly two thousand years without a Temple in Yerushalayim, our Authoritative Father calls us to return freely and reason with Him:
“If you are willing and you heed Me, you shall eat the good of the land…
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Reprove the oppressor.
Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow.”
Then the One who cried out:
“How has the faithful city become a harlot!
She that was full of justice, righteousness dwelled within her—
But now, murderers…”
—shall fulfill His promise:
“I shall restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning;
Afterward you shall be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
May the Blessed One comfort the mourners of Israel.