This Shabbat, the week before Tisha B'Av, is known as "Shabbat Chazon" - lit., "Shabbat of the Vision". It owes its name to the title of the Haftorah which speaks of the vision, ie, the prophecy of Isaiah.
However, as usual, there is a deeper meaning as well. One of the great chassidic masters, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, taught that on this Shabbat a vision of the future Beit Hamikdash, the third and final Holy Temple that is rebuilt in the Messianic Era, is shown to the soul of each and every Jew.
One idea we can draw from his message, is that if we want to accomplish something great like helping to bring the world to a state of peace and harmony, both among men and between man and G-d, it takes vision. You need to envision and yearn for the place you want to be and only then can you hope to get there.
So at this time, when Israel is required to fight a war that was thrust upon it by people who seek her destruction, G-d Forbid, and when Jews around the world are singled out for hostility and hate, let us conjure up an image of what the future era of ultimate redemption and peace for all mankind would look like; and let that vivid image inspire us to do our part to help make that vision a reality!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yitzchok Schmukler