Shabbat Hazon, the third Shabbat following Shevasar B’Tammuz and Shabbat immediately preceding Tisha B’Av, is so named for the special haftarah read. The haftarah foreshadows the destruction and devastation of Israel, which we will read about on Tisha B’Av.
The words of Isaiah in the haftarah “Eicha, haita l’zonah, kriya ne’ehmanah,” “Alas, she has become a harlot, the faithful city,” and its theme of God asking, “Why do I need your sacrifices when you continue to do evil?!” hearken to the opening verse of Eicha, the book of Lamentations, and the themes of the day.
The cantillation of that verse calls out to the heart of the Jewish people. The cry “Eicha!” tears at the deepest parts of our collective Jewish soul, and to who we are as a people. Our connection to Jerusalem and Israel is such that we continue to mourn with that same cry nearly 2000 years later. But Tisha B’Av is not only a day to mourn the loss of the Temple, but to reflect upon what caused our loss. According to tradition, the Second Temple was destroyed due to sinat hinam, senseless hatred.
The story is told that a wealthy man sent his servant to deliver invitations for a party. One invitation was supposed to go to his friend, Kamsa. The servant accidentally delivers the invitation to Bar Kamsa, whom the host hated. Bar Kamsa was surprised, but chose to attend the party, assuming the host wanted to put their issues behind them. When the host sees Bar Kamsa at his party, he orders Bar Kamsa to leave. Bar Kamsa begs the host not to embarrass him. First he offers to pay for any food he eats. When this is refused, Bar Kamsa offers to pay for half the party. This too is refused. Bar Kamsa offers to pay for the entire party. The host still refuses, and physically ejects Bar Kamsa from his party.
Embarrassed and angry, Bar Kamsa vows revenge on the Rabbis present who did not come to his aid. Bar Kamsa visits the Roman Caesar, and tells him the Jews are planning a revolt. The Caesar, unsure of the rumour, sends an animal to be sacrificed in the Temple as a peace offering. Bar Kamsa deliberately wounds the animal in a way that disqualifies it as a Temple offering, but not as a Roman offering.
The Caesar, incensed that his offering was refused, laid siege to Jerusalem, leading to its and the Temple’s destruction, along with the exile of the Jewish people.
For this reason our tradition teaches that to embarrass someone is akin to murder. Furthermore, he who saves a life saves a world, and he who destroys a life destroys a whole world. It is a lesson people everywhere need to continue to learn.
Shabbat shalom.
If you're interested in reading Eicha, here's a great site where you can hear it.
http://www.jewishiphonecommunity.org/news/eicha-in-mp3
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