On the three Shabbatot during the Three Weeks, the haftarot that are read are called the “three (haftarot) of retribution.” These readings discuss the prophecies that foretold of the destruction of the Temple and the need to repent completely of the sins that would eventually cause this national tragedy.

The Shabbat before Tisha BeAv is called Shabbat Hazon because of the opening words of the haftara that is read on this Shabbat: “The vision [hazon] of Isaiah son of Amotz, that he envisioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem” (Isaiah 1:1). This passage speaks of the sins of the children of Israel and of the future troubles that will befall them as a result of these transgressions. The renowned hasidic Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, interpreted the name Shabbat Hazon as referring to a different kind of vision. He said that on this Shabbat, the soul of every Jew has a vision of the Third Temple, and this vision gives rise to a deep inner yearning for the redemption of the people of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple.

Further reading: For more on anticipating the future redemption and the arrival of the messiah, see A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 391; A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 145.

Further reading: To read about the talmudic description of the events leading to the destruction of the Temple, see A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 322.