Shabbat Chazon

The Alef Kabbala Group (21 July 09) explored a discourse for Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat before the Fast of the Ninth of Av, taught by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1955. This starts with the verse from the Haftorah 'Zion will be redeemed through Mishpat (Justice) and its captives will be freed through Tzedaka'. The discourse presents an analysis of the process of prayer, which moves from the simple 'cold' step of acceptance, to the deep expression of blessings pouring from G-d to the world, as in the saying of the Amidah prayer. The step joining these two very different expressions of connection with the Divine is the step of Love, as in the Shema prayer when we say 'and you shall love G-d'.