Tu B'Av — the fifteenth of Av — is a minor holiday. Falling just six days after the fast day of Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, Tu B'Av is described in rabbinic literature as one of the happiest days for the Jewish people. In antiquity, women would go out in festive clothing to dance in vineyards on this day. Today, the holiday is often viewed as a celebration of love.
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Making a MatchMISHNAH
Making a Match
MISHNAH
Two dates on the Jewish calendar were chosen as opportunities for connecting people with their soul mates: Tu B’Av (15th of Av) and Yom Kippur. The Mishnah describes the matchmaking event in great detail.
A Day of JoyTALMUD
A Day of Joy
TALMUD
While not as well known as some other celebratory days on the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Av is a joyous day. According to the Talmud, this is because of six happy events that took place on this day.
Marrying with ConsentHALAKHAH
Marrying with Consent
HALAKHAH
How does a woman’s consent fit into the Tu B’Av tradition of matchmaking? The 13th-century legal code, Kol Bo, explains the details of the singles’ event that took place on this date.
The End of a Deadly DecreeMIDRASH
The End of a Deadly Decree
MIDRASH
The joyous day of Tu B’Av occurs just after the somber day of Tisha (9th) of Av. Eikhah Rabbah, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Lamentations, explains why this period of mourning ends with a day of celebration.
Studying Torah at NightHALAKHAH
Studying Torah at Night
HALAKHAH
Torah scholars study both day and night, and the 15th of Av is a good time to begin the practice of nightly Torah study. In his commentary on the Shulchan Arukh, Rabbi Moshe Isserlis (16th century, Poland) quotes earlier texts that introduce this Tu B’Av tradition.
A Different Date for the CelebrationCHASIDUT
A Different Date for the Celebration
CHASIDUT
In contrast to Tu B’Av, the 17th of Tammuz is a minor fast day. Reb Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin (19th century, Poland) explains that, but for a single event in the story of the Jewish people, the celebration might actually have been on the 17th of Tammuz.
The Color of JoyKABBALAH
The Color of Joy
KABBALAH
Jewish mystical tradition understands certain colors to be of particular symbolic significance. In the Zohar on Parashat Terumah, we find Tu B’Av included in a list of other important holidays and the colors that symbolize those days.
A New Year of RepentanceCHASIDUT
A New Year of Repentance
CHASIDUT
Tu B’Av is just 45 days before the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. In this 18th-century chasidic work, Rabbi Avraham Dov Auerbach of Avritch explains the special relationship between Tu B’Av and the period leading up to Rosh Hashanah.
Festival of the Wood OfferingSECOND TEMPLE
Festival of the Wood Offering
SECOND TEMPLE
One of the earliest references to a ritual taking place on the 15th of Av is in the first-century history written by Josephus Flavius. He describes how on the “Festival of the Wood Offering,” people would come to the Temple and donate wood for the altar.
The Color of JoyKABBALAH
The Color of Joy
KABBALAH
Jewish mystical tradition understands certain colors to be of particular symbolic significance. In the Zohar on Parashat Terumah, we find Tu B’Av included in a list of other important holidays and the colors that symbolize those days.