Ah bissele call to ACTION

Leave it to Chassidus to turn thing around 360 degrees!!

Here's on

the Three Weeks -

Releasing Hidden Treasures

The twenty-one days between the Fast of the 17th of
Tammuz and the Fast of the 9th of Av are known as "the
Three Weeks" of mourning for the loss of both Holy
Temples.

However, now that we are so very near to the final
Redemption (when "these days will be transformed into
gladness, rejoicing and festivals") it is time to
emphasize the truer, deeper and essential aspect of this
period.

Not only are the events and results of the Three Weeks a
necessary part of a process that culminates with
Redemption – but rather, they are all part of the positive
"building" of the Third Beis Hamikdash (See below,
"Shabbos within the Three Weeks").

As the Rebbe describes it:
The Three Weeks are compared to a locked treasure chest
filled with gems and pearls. The chest, along with
the key to it, has been given over to every Jew. He need
merely place the key inside the lock and open the chest,
to reveal the immense treasure hidden within.

It is entirely dependant upon the Jew to determine
whether the Three Weeks will be an undesirable
experience, G-d forbid, or a positive one. He has not
been unwittingly entrusted with the property of another,
whereby his wrongful use of the treasure would
implicate the Giver under "Do not place a stumbling
block" [i.e. cause someone to err]… Rather, seeing as
the Jew has been informed of his ability to open the
chest and make use of its treasure, he is obviously meant
to make use of it!

...We should begin by unlocking our true selves – by
revealing how our body and ‘animalistic’ soul (which seemingly
conceal and oppose G-dliness) are truly vessels for Yiddishkeit;
we should serve Hashem with our very body and physicality too,
utilizing every physical function (such as consumption) and all
our property for the sake of Heaven – "In all your ways know
Him."

STUDY (AND BUILD) THE BEIS HAMIKDASH
Our additional Torah-study should purposely incorporate
subjects that concern the Redemption and the construction of the
Beis Hamikdash. Our Sages have stated that such study is as
great as the actual erection of the Mikdash, and that Hashem
equates our study with the actual construction!

PUBLICIZE THE ABOVE EVERYWHERE
We should certainly publicize these instructions and
promote their fulfillment in each and every location on the
globe.

FOR KIDS TOO
It is obvious that the children attending summer camps
should also add the "timely topic" of the laws of the Beis
Hamikdash to their Torah-study.