BS’D
From Orit Esther Riter of the Daily Dose of Emuna
Tisha B’av is a day closely linked to negative events. We fast and observe laws of mourning by disconnecting from all physical and even mental pleasure in order to feel the pain of the absence of light in our lives.
The Holy Temple was a special place. The Divine Presence rested there and in spite of human limitations, we were able to connect to God. In fact, the entire world was able to have a close relationship with the Creator of the universe and bond with Him in a tangible way.
When the Holy Temple was destroyed, life in this world was shattered and filled with darkness. This obstruction of light serves as a barrier until today and disables us from directly feeling God’s love. However, even during the lowest point in Jewish history, God wishes to uplift the Jewish People by naming this month Av (Father). Although we may not directly see God, He is ‘implanted’ in the essence of this month.
Yet another fatherly embrace is bestowed onto us this month. We merit ascending from the saddest day of the Jewish calendar to the happiest day – the 15th of Av. This day is described in the Mishnah (Ta’anit) as “There are no happier days for Israel that the 15th of Av and Yom HaKippurim” – the day of finding one’s predestined soul mate.
The Sages teach that there are many connections that bridge Tisha b’Av to Tu b’Av – the 15th of Av:
1. On Tisha b’Av, the Mashiach is born. His soul is taught to comprise of all the souls of Israel. Just as a groom unites with his bride and carries her off to build a new life, so does the Mashiach uplift the Jewish people to unite with the Almighty.
2. Tisha b’Av reminds us of the gloom and destruction of a displaced people. There are three faces to the current exile: the Jewish people scattered among the nations, the Jewish people exiled among their fellow brethren, and the Jew feeling he is exiled with himself.
Tu b’Av is a time of joy and new beginnings. Respectively, it comes as a perfect counterpoint to confront the three fronts of exile: spirited love is the roadway to collective redemption, building a Jewish home is the epitome of forming peace amongst fellow Jews, and finding one’s soul mate brings light into one’s life and lifts him up from exile.
3. Tu b’Av follows Tisha b’Av on the seventh day. Seven symbolizes wholeness as in the days of the week, the celebration of seven brachot (blessings) upon marriage, and by contrast the number of days one sits shiva (in mourning) to name a few. When the above messages are fused into the conscious minds of the Jewish people, namely togetherness and unity through the building of Jewish homes, we will merit a renewed and lasting relationship with God.
The unity that enveloped the single Jewish men and women as they gathered in the fields to find their mate removed all barriers from their midst and amplified brotherly love in the most astounding way. Rich and poor maidens of Jerusalem borrowed white clothing from one another in order not to embarrass each other and blur communal barriers. Such were the feelings of love that enveloped the Jewish people at the time.
Singing and dancing radiated the streets in the hopes of creating new generations that honor Jewish values. Tu b’Av ushers in celebration of the promise of new life and hope after grief and fear. God wants us to celebrate life by uniting with Him and enabling light to shine onto a world of confusion.
Jews have survived throughout history because they know they can always tap into the Jewish spark – the mark of our people. This unity sustains our nation. In our world, the way to uphold unity is by keeping our traditions alive. The mystical teachings write that God, the Torah, and Israel are one – Godliness transcends all limitations.
Tu b’Av is sandwiched in between Tisha b’Av, a time for deep reflection and self-accountability, and the beginning of the month of repentance, Elul. Its message is love that stems from harmonious relationships. Under the wedding canopy, the transgressions of the bride and groom are erased. Through love of one another, we wipe away Heavenly decrees.
Tu b’Av marks the transition from the days of mourning and judgment to the days of joy and compassion. Today, we may not be able to appreciate the full extent of this great holiday, yet it does carry us from tragedy to joyfulness.
May we soon merit seeing the revealed outcome of what baseless love and unity can bring the ultimate redemption soon, Amen.
