For years, I have been fascinated with the fact that events throughout the Bible occurred on festival dates and significant events throughout history occurred on festival dates.

Last night (July 23), as I was in our hot tub gazing at the full moon, I was in awe of its beauty and wondered if there was any significance to the date on the Hebraic calendar.

Today, I decided to do some research and was amazed to discover it is the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av, known as “Tu B’Av.” It is a special joyous day on the Hebraic calendar, also known as the day of Love! (The holiday starts the evening of July 23 at sundown and continues through July 24.)

The Talmud considers this the greatest festival of the year, with Yom Kippur a close second! It says, “No days were as festive for Israel as the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur.” It tells of a beautiful custom during ancient times, which took place on the 15th of Av. “On these days the daughters of Israel/Jerusalem would go out dressed in white and dance in the vineyards.”

After leaving the bondage of slavery in Egypt, with Moses as their Deliverer, that generation did not enter the Promised Land. After 40 years, only their children and Joshua and Caleb entered the Land. The decree that they would not enter the Land was made on Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av, which happens to be the same date both Temples were destroyed in later years.) On the 15th of Av (today’s date), the decree was rescinded. Let’s wander no more!

Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is six weeks from Tu B’Av. It is customary that from Tu B’Av that Jews begin wishing each other a “Shana Tova” – “A good and healthy New Year.”

I wish you a good and healthy New Year!