A Visionary Mindset
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers revolutionized the modern world with the first successful airplane flight, embodying the power of visionary thinking. While most were focused on improving the speed and efficiency of existing modes of transportation, the Wright brothers, like other visionaries, saw beyond the limits of their time, imagining a future where humans could fly.
Similarly, visionary leadership is not confined to a select few; it is a mindset we can all adopt. Where others see problems or challenges, visionaries see solutions and opportunities. While most perceive the limitations of reality, visionary leaders envision infinite potential.
Elie Wiesel, in his memoirs, recounts a meeting with the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, in the early '60s. After a profound and soul-searching conversation, Wiesel, who recalled losing his ability to cry after the trauma of his father's death in Buchenwald, asked the Rebbe to help him cry. The Rebbe's response was unexpected: “That's not enough. I shall teach you to sing.”
The Rebbe was not oblivious to the challenges of the world around him. Despite experiencing the horrors of Soviet Communism and the Holocaust while most of the world remained apathetic to the annihilation of 6 million Jews, the Rebbe's visionary leadership led a revival of Jewish life across the globe, teaching that Judaism should be lived joyfully.
In his inaugural address in 1951, the Rebbe famously quoted a Verse from Song of Songs which describes this world as G-d's garden and empowered us to reveal the beauty of the world around us and usher in a time of peace, prosperity and unity for all nations on earth with the coming of Moshiach.
He saw infinite potential in the world and in the Jewish people, encouraging us to "fly" beyond mere survival.
This week, as we begin reading Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy), we reflect on Moses' final speech to the Jewish people. The Talmud teaches that Moses explained the Torah in 70 languages.
At that time, the Jewish people all understood the Hebrew in which the Torah was written. So what was the purpose of Moses translating the text into 70 languages?
On a deeper level, Moses was not just translating the Torah into other languages; he was also “translating” its relevance to our modern lives, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. He envisioned a future where Jews would be dispersed across the world, engaging with diverse cultures and worldviews that might seem contrary to the values of Judaism.
He anticipated a time when the modern world might appear at odds with Jewish tradition and practice, potentially causing some to feel ashamed of their Judaism or to distance themselves from what might seem like outdated beliefs and perspectives.
As a visionary, Moses was empowering us to discover the relevance of the Torah and to apply its values to our marriages, relationships, businesses, and worldviews. The advancement of the modern world and its technological developments is not a challenge to our Judaism but an opportunity to “translate” divine truths and make them accessible and relevant to the world around us.
This Shabbat is traditionally known as the Shabbat of the Vision (Shabbat Chazon). It refers to the vision of Isaiah mentioned in this week's Haftorah, which speaks of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem thousands of years ago—a moment we mourn this coming Monday evening and Tuesday during the fast of the 9th of Av.
However, every challenge also brings new opportunities. Our sages teach that despite the sorrow and pain associated with the 9th of Av, this day also marks the birth of Moshiach, our future redeemer (Jerusalem Talmud, Berachot 2:4).
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810) explains that the deeper reason it is called the “Shabbat of the Vision” is because during this Shabbat, G-d shows each of us a vision of the future Third Temple, which will be built in the era of Redemption. While we may not see this vision physically, our souls sense it, influencing our behavior and inspiring us to do our part in bringing Moshiach and Redemption to the world.
Even as Iran and its proxies threaten to destroy Israel and the Jewish people, we place our full faith in G-d, confident that He will once again deliver us from our enemies.
There is a fascinating Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni 499) written over 2,000 years ago that is remarkably relevant to the times we live in today:
“The year in which the King Moshiach reveals himself [to all of mankind], all the nations of the world will be fighting with each other. The King of Persia (Iran) will fight with the King of Arabia (Saudi Arabia), and the King of Arabia will go to Aram (a world superpower) to seek counsel from them. The King of Persia will [attempt to] destroy the entire world, and all the nations of the world will be screaming and confused…The Jewish people will also be screaming and confused…And G-d will say to them, 'My children - don't be afraid - for all that I have done, I only did for your sake. Why are you afraid – the time for your redemption has arrived!
Let us do one more Mitzvah, give extra charity, and celebrate this Shabbat with family and friends in merit of the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world. As the Prophet Zechariah (8:19) declares that in the time of Redemption, the 9th of Av will be transformed from a day of mourning to a day of celebration. May we celebrate together this year in Jerusalem!
