What a Missed Flight Taught Me About Shabbat Chazon

Yesterday, I boarded a United Airlines flight from Newark to Dallas. After nearly three hours on the runway due to thunderstorms in the area, the plane returned to the gate.

I waited in the United business lounge, refreshing the app for updates. Each time it showed only an estimated departure—until suddenly it read “Departed.” I had missed my flight.

With the thunderstorms creating a massive backlog, no seats were available on Thursday night or Friday morning flights, so I’m spending Shabbat in New York.

As students of the Baal Shem Tov, we know that G-d guides every detail of history. We learn not only to accept but to celebrate when life diverges from our plans, trusting that we are always where we are meant to be—and that in those very moments, G-d is teaching us a lesson.

As we commemorate the destruction of the Temple and the exile of our people, we are reminded that within the tragedy lies the seed of hope—the promise of ultimate redemption, as reflected in the name of this Shabbat, Shabbat Chazon—“the Shabbat of Vision.”

The real key to breaking boundaries and conquering our fears lies not only in visualizing success but in summoning the courage to live up to that vision. It’s easy to imagine greatness; the challenge is aligning our daily actions with what we see in our mind’s eye. As Ronaldo, one of the greatest athletes in the world, put it: “Before stepping on the pitch, I visualize every move—scoring goals, making perfect passes.”

If we want to challenge the status quo in the world, we must first challenge it within ourselves. It begins with clarity of vision—knowing exactly what the endgame looks like. From there, we must be willing to step beyond our comfort zones and live that vision into reality.

As Jews, we live under God’s protection—especially those who dwell in the Land of Israel. We do not depend on the goodwill of nations; our mission is to serve as a guide and influence to the world, not the other way around. This vision must stand at the center of our lives, shaping every step we take. It is not a comfortable path—but no journey of true worth ever is.

If we want to ensure we’re on the flight, we can’t linger in the “business lounge” or passively wait for change. To move from exile to redemption—to break free from an exilic mindset—we must step beyond our comfort zones each day, aligning ourselves with the ultimate vision: the Jewish people living in peace and security, fulfilling their mission to be “a light unto the nations.”