Background
The fifteenth day of Av (Tu B’Av) is traditionally considered a day of special joy. It is said, “There were no happier days for the Jewish people like the fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur” – as our sages declared.
The Mishnah also describes a specific custom practiced on this day, where the young women would dress in white garments and go out to dance in the vineyards, while the young men would stand there seeking wives.
Our sages have written certain reasons why this day is special and festive, and they established it as a day of rejoicing when we also do not recite the “Tachanun” supplications in the prayer service.
Uniqueness of the Day
- Last day for planting: The fifteenth of Av is the final day for planting in the year. Planting after this day is already considered planting for the following year, and this has halachic implications regarding the laws of the Sabbatical year (Shemittah) and the matter of “Orlah” (the prohibition to eat fruit from a tree during its first three years).
- Beginning and head of the Days of Judgment: In certain aspects, this day is like the beginning of the Days of Judgment that commence from Elul, and it is appropriate to start introspection on this day for the entire year.
- Wishing a Happy New Year: This is also a time to begin wishing one another “K’tivah Vachatimah Tovah” (May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year), for a good and sweet year.
