Mazal/Constellation

Lion.

Significance of the Month

Av, the fifth month of the Jewish calendar, is known as Menachem Av or "Comforting Av." Av represents the saddest point in the Jewish calendar, and according to the Mishnah, "when the month of Av enters we become less joyful." Rosh Chodesh Av falls in the three-week period known as bein ha-metzarim (literally "between the straits") in which we mourn the destruction of both the first and second Temples. As the month progresses, we move forward from our mourning and begin to find comfort. We begin to look forward to the New Year, which is only seven weeks away.

Holidays

Tisha B'Av, or the Ninth of Av, is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. On Tisha B'Av both the first and second Temples were burned to the ground. According to the Mishnah, five tragedies befell the Jewish people on Tisha B'Av: it was decreed that the generation of the desert would not enter the Land of Israel; the first Temple was destroyed; the second Temple was destroyed; Betar, the last Jewish stronghold after the destruction of Jerusalem, was conquered; and Jerusalem was plowed under. Tradition further teaches that other tragedies throughout history occurred to the Jews on Tisha B'Av. Some examples include the beginning of the First Crusade in 1095; the expulsion of Jews from Spain by King Ferdinand in 1492; and the beginning of World War One in 1914. Tisha B'Av has been adopted as a national day of mourning for all tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. Restaurants and theaters are closed in Israel on Tisha B'Av. The mourning practices that began on the 17th of Tammuz intensify with Rosh Chodesh Av. At this point many people refrain from eating meat, drinking wine, wearing freshly laundered or new clothing, and from engaging in any joyous activity. Some begin the more severe restrictions only during the week during which Tisha B'Av falls. Tisha B'Av itself is a full fast day, just like Yom Kippur. In addition to refraining from eating and drinking, bathing, anointing oneself, wearing leather shoes and marital relations are prohibited.

The healing process from Tisha B'Av begins almost immediately. Just six days later, on the 15th of Av, we observe Tu B'Av. According to the Mishnah, "There were no holidays so joyous for the Jewish people as the 15th of Av and Yom HaKippurim." On this day, unmarried Jewish women would borrow white dresses and dance in the fields, where single men would be waiting for them. Additionally, on this day in Biblical times, various bans against marrying between tribes were lifted.

Women to Celebrate

Rachel the Matriarch - Rachel has become associated with the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av because of an often-cited Midrash. The Midrash comments on Jeremiah's prophecy which says: "A cry is heard in Ramah - wailing, bitter weeping - Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children who are gone" (Jeremiah 31:14). The Midrash wonders why Rachel is buried in Bethlehem when all of the other patriarchs and matriarchs are buried in the Cave of Machpela in Hebron. The Midrash explains that as the Jews were being exiled after the destruction of the first Temple, all of the matriarchs and patriarchs petitioned God that the exile should not be permanent, but none of them succeeded. Rachel then argued that when she was set to marry Jacob, her father Lavan plotted to switch her with her sister Leah. Rachel could have sabotaged the plan but chose not to so as not to embarrass her sister. God agreed that the exile would not be permanent because of Rachel's unselfish act.

Famous Women's Yahrzeits

Justine Wise Polier - 5 Av 5747 (July 31, 1987). The first woman justice in New York.

Lillian Wald - 28 Av 5700 (September 1, 1940). Internationally recognized activist for public health nursing, housing reform, suffrage, world peace, and the rights of women, children, immigrants and working people.

Text Studies

Tisha B'Av Text Study - Learn some traditional explanations of Tisha B'Av.
A Tisha B'Av Learning (PDF file 49Kb)
[Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher.] 
 
Tisha B'Av Guide - Learn more about the practices and traditions of Tisha B'Av.
The 17th of Tammuz, the Ninth of Av and the Three Weeks (PDF file 44Kb)
[Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher.]

Oh Jerusalem: A Conversation - Explore your own vision of Jerusalem through these evocative verses. This conversation weaves together three texts: a Psalm that includes a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, the Babylonian Talmud, and Midrash Esther Rabba.

Oh Jerusalem: A Conversation (PDF file 108Kb)
[Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher.]

Activities

Clothing Drive - On Tu B'Av, the Jewish women would all trade clothes so no one would be dressed more nicely than anyone else as they went to dance in the field. In the spirit of Tu B'Av, conduct a clothing drive for the poor.

Conversations

Does it upset you that the Temple is no longer standing in Jerusalem? How do you relate to the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av?

Love and Marriage - In the spirit of Tu B'Av, discuss your views on love and marriage.