Dateline Jerusalem – This week is Tu B'Av, the festival of love, sort of like Valentine's Day in the States as it is observed in Israel. But Tu B'Av, the 15th of the month of Av, is a religious holiday while Valentine's is a pagan holiday. Tu B’Av began a thousand years before there was a St. Valentine or a Sadie Hawkins. It is a popular day for people to get married or engaged. In modern times it is a significant day for matchmakers. Special prayers for finding a mate are posted on buildings and walls throughout Jerusalem and other areas of the country. Love songs are played on the radio. Street vendors have red roses to sell on this happiest day of the year. Although a minor holiday in the Hebrew calendar, it is a holiday after all.
Unlike the holiday of ancient times, it is commercialized by Israelis. They send cards, give flowers and candy, and they have romantic dinners. Israelis go on hikes in parks, have picnics, and commune with nature. Some malls and shops on the street are decorated with red and pink hearts. Still, it is nothing like Valentine’s Day in the States where the whole day, and days in advance, are devoted to its celebration, where children in public schools must give Valentine cards to their classmates. Restaurant reservations for dinner are a must. Most Israelis, observant and non-observant alike, celebrate Tu B'Av while in the States only religious Jews observe the holiday. However, many Israelis are unaware of the significance of Tu B'Av.
Originally Tu B'Av marked the beginning of the grape harvest. All unmarried girls would dress up in borrowed white clothing so that no one would be considered in a better position than another or be embarrassed by not having white clothes. A symbol of purity, white also signified the blossoming of the squill that bloomed all over Israel at the time. The young women would flock to the vineyards and olive groves where they would dance for hours at a time. Young men would serenade them and then choose their wives from among these unmarried women. Today, some Israelis still go to dance in the vineyards. Throughout the country there are music and dance festivals, many of the performers not charging on Tu B'Av so that their audiences could enjoy the holiday spirit.
There is a full moon on Tu B'Av. Since it is a the day observed according to the lunar Hebrew calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar followed in the States, there always is a full moon on that day. In ancient times, a full moon was associated with romance and love. Commitment and love are essential elements in a marriage and also in our relationship with G-d. After the terrible things that happened to the Jews on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, it seems as though G-d became satisfied with the atonement of the Jews for their sins on Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av. Therefore on Tu B'Av, many good things happened. So after three weeks of mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple and all the horrible events that afflicted Jews throughout their history, Tu B'Av is a time for joy and celebration. That is why, according to the Sages, it is the most festive day of the year. What could be more joyous than having ones sins forgiven by G-d?
L'hitraot. Shachar
