This Shabbat is the Shabbat before the arrival of the Ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Today we read the third haftarah of rebuke. The haftarah is taken from the writings of Isaiah, chapter 1. The prophetic rebuke is presented in the classic form of the riv, the prophetic argument against the nation of Israel.

Heaven and earth are called as witnesses to testify to the righteousness of G-d and the depravity of Israel. "Children I have reared and brought up, yet they have rebelled against Me." The prophet Isaiah is overwhelmed by the sinfulness of the nation. He describes the annihilation of the land, which is seen as retribution for Israel's evil. "Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire."

The style of the prophetic rebuke, the riv, continues to bring evidence against Israel's faithfulness. The sacrifices to G-d are meaningless because of the insincerity of the nation. The observance of the holidays is valueless. "Your new moons and your appointed seasons - My soul hates". These verses do not imply that Isaiah was opposed to animal sacrifice or the celebration of festivals. However, he was angered by the hypocritical stance of the nation.

Isaiah calls for justice and compassion. This cry is the heart of the prophetic rebuke of Israel. "Learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Unfortunately, the nation has turned its back on its sacred task. Isaiah compares Israel to a whore.

However, the prophetic teaching may never end on a negative note. Every haftarah must conclude with a word of comfort and hope. Isaiah himself ultimately envisioned a new day of justice and harmony. So, too, our haftarah concludes with the possibility of redemption. "Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and they that return of her with righteousness."

The first word of the haftarah, hazon, meaning vision gives its name to this Shabbat. The Shabbat before the arrival of Tisha B'Av is known as Shabbat Hazon. This Shabbat reflects the mood of the Ninth of Av - one of sadness and depression.