Av is the fifth month on the Biblical calendar and corresponds to July-August on the Gregorian calendar. Its name was adopted during Israel’s Babylonian captivity.
In Hebrew the word Av means “father.” In addition, it is customary among Jews to add the name “Menachem” (Comforter) to Av when speaking about this month. This is because the month of Av is associated with many tragic events in Jewish history. Yet, their Father God brings comfort.
Between the Straits
History has shown a pattern of terrible disasters that have befallen the Jewish people during a three-week period. This segment of time is referred to as “between the straits” (based on Lamentations 1:3). It begins on the 17th of Tammuz and ends on the 9th of Av. Ancient Jewish rabbis said: “When Av comes in, gladness must be diminished.” As a result, marriages are not held during this period and all entertainment is suspended.
The 9th of Av (Tisha B’av)
The 9th of Av commemorates the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem along with many other tragedies throughout Jewish history. This day is the “low point” of the three-week period of mourning. As a result, the 9th of Av has become an annual fast day in the Jewish Community. The intention of the fast is to help Jewish people remember and learn from history the past moral failures of their ancestors. Thus, prevent future catastrophes.
Events in Jewish History that Occurred on the Ninth of Av
- Ten of the twelve spies came back with a negative report about the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1-10). The Israelites believed the evil report of the spies and refused to enter into the Promised Land. Consequently, this event started their 40-year wandering in the desert.
- The first Holy Temple (constructed by King Solomon) was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army. Jerusalem was pillaged, and thousands of Jews were deported to Babylon. (587 B.C.)
- Titus destroyed the second Holy Temple (70 A.D.). In addition, The Roman army plowed the city of Jerusalem with salt. (71 A.D.)
- The last stronghold of the Bar Kochba rebellion, the City of Betar, fell to the Romans in 135 A.D. Bar Kochba was killed along with over 100, 000 Jews.
- Pope Urban II declared the first Crusade. Jerusalem fell to the invading army. Ten thousand Jews were killed in the first month of the Crusade. (1099 A.D.)
- England expelled the Jews. (1290 A.D.)
- Spain expelled the Jews. (1492 A.D.)
- World War I began when Germany declared war on Russia. This launched persecutions against the Jews in Eastern Russia. (August 1, 1914)
- The Germans began a systematic liquidation of the Jewish Ghettos in Poland. Jews were deported to extermination camps at the rate of six to ten thousand per day. (July 10, 1942)
The 15th of Av (Tu B’av)
Another important date in the month of Av is the 15th of Av (Tu B’av). It signifies the end of the three weeks of mourning. It also celebrates several favorable events in Jewish history and the reunion of God and Israel. Tu B’av is the “high point” of the month and a joyous day on the Hebrew Calendar.
Israel’s wilderness wandering ends
The Israelites were to conquer the land God had promised their forefathers, several months after their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 3:8). So, Moses sent out 12 spies to survey the land of Canaan. However, when they returned, 10 of the spies gave evil reports. They convinced the people that the Canaanites were too strong for them to conquer. After this, the people became discouraged and began to grumble against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 13-14). Because they did not believe God’s promises to them, God cursed the Israelites with forty years of wilderness wandering. They could not enter Canaan until the unbelieving generation died off in the desert. However, their children would enter the Promise Land, instead (Numbers 13 and 14). So, after 40 years of wilderness wandering, the dying finally ended on the 15th of Av.
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READ MORE: God’s Divine Calendar
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