Tu B’Av
The 15th of Av
The most enigmatic day on the Jewish calendar — a day of dancing in the vineyards, of love, and of the future Redemption.
A Most Mysterious Day of Joy
The 15th of Av — known as Tu B’Av — is perhaps the most mysterious day on the Jewish calendar. A search of the Shulchan Aruch reveals no special observances or customs for this date, except that the tachanun is omitted from the daily prayers and one should increase the study of Torah, since the nights are beginning to grow longer and “the night was created for study.”
The Talmud tells us that the “daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the vineyards,” and “whoever did not have a wife would go there” to find a bride. The Talmud considers this the greatest festival of the year, with Yom Kippur a close second.
Six Facets of the 15th of Av
No Tachanun
A festive date — the confession of sins and similar portions are omitted from the daily prayers.
Study by Night
The nights begin to grow longer; “the night was created for study,” so we increase our Torah learning.
Dancing in the Vineyards
The daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards; whoever had no wife would go there to find a bride.
Festival of Redemption
The “full moon” of Av marks the end of the tragedy of the 9th of Av and heralds the future Redemption.
45 Days to Rosh Hashanah
The first day we begin to wish one another a ketivah vachatimah tovah — to be signed and sealed for a good year.
The Most Joyous Day
The Talmud calls the 15th of Av the greatest festival of the year, with Yom Kippur a close second.
The Dancing Maidens of Jerusalem
On the 15th of Av, the maidens of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? “Young man, please lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself.”
As the “full moon” of the month of Av, Tu B’Av is the festival of the future Redemption, marking the end of the tragedy that marred the first part of the month — the 9th of Av. From sorrow to joy, the day declares that every descent is ultimately for the sake of an ascent.
Six Teachings for the 15th of Av
Coming just six days after the 9th of Av, Tu B’Av is a day of love and marriage. Here are six teachings from the Rebbe on the themes of this joyous day.
What Is Beauty?
The maidens’ call to look for “a good family” rather than beauty is an instruction to see the innate spiritual character we all share as the Nation of Israel — not the surface virtues an individual happens to possess.
One should “lift up your eyes and see” with a higher and more inward gaze — to see the root and source from which these virtues stem. Given that she is the daughter of Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah, she inherently possesses the Jewish virtues passed down from her mothers.
Descent for the Purpose of Ascent
Coming so soon after Tisha b’Av, the radical shift from sadness to joy shows that every sorrowful interlude in Jewish life is only transitory — a descent whose purpose is a greater ascent.
Coming so soon after Tisha b’Av, the radical transition from a mood of sadness to that of joy is doubly significant. It signifies that any sad interlude in Jewish life is only transitory and is based on the principle of “descent for the purpose of ascent.”
To Cleave as One
Drawing on Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, the Rebbe defines the essence of marriage through the biblical ideal of becoming “one flesh” — a constant, unbroken attachment and acquisition between husband and wife.
Life in the Garden of Eden
The marriage blessings invoke “the joy of the first humans in the Garden of Eden.” The phrase “from the beginning” points to a primordial, perfect joy that a couple can tap into within their own lives.
Life’s Mission
From the commandment to build a fence around a roof, the Rebbe teaches that marriage is the foundation of a home — the start of a mission to create a sanctuary for G-d in the earthly world and bring forth new Divine illumination.
The Wedding Canopy
The customs of the chuppah — such as the bride circling the groom — symbolise each partner’s role. Both commit to using their unique, encompassing capacities to build a Jewish home firmly rooted in Torah and mitzvot.
From Sorrow to Joy
Tu B’Av turns the mourning of Av into dancing — a reminder that every descent in Jewish life is only a prelude to a greater ascent. May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.