Most of August 2024 coincides with the biblical month of Av, which is the fifth month. It is a time of the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.
Av has a focus on hearing. Special attention is paid to the ears. Whose voice do we heed? As Jesus says more than once, borrowing from Isaiah, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 13:9).
[An interpretation of Tisha B’Av]
Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) is remembered as the date when the faithful witness of Joshua and Caleb was rejected. Twelve spies, or scouts, were sent into the land of Canaan to check things out. Dare the people of Israel enter in? Ten of the spies relay a grim report, even describing the inhabitants as giants, to whom “we seemed like grasshoppers” (Numbers 13:33).
Joshua and Caleb have a different take. They acknowledge the difficulties but see a different destiny. They aren’t blind, and they aren’t naïve. Where the others see tragedy, they see triumph. The Israelites commit the sin of bad hearing—as in, unfaithful hearing. They want to silence good news, a report filled with hope.
Thus traditionally, the book of Lamentations is read on Tisha B’Av. (Which this year fell on the 13th). Aside from the refusal of Joshua’s and Caleb’s encouragement, other tragedies are recalled. At the top of the list are the destructions of the First and Second Temples by the Babylonians and the Romans. These events were of seismic consequence.
We should notice that “Av” is the root word for “abba”—father. There is the clear comparison with the Heavenly Father. On the heels of disaster, the father turns mourning into dancing, sorrow into joy. In fact, it is commonplace to refer to the month as “Menachem” Av, that is, “comforter” or “consoler” father. There is a sense of love and rebirth.
On that note of love and renaissance, Tu B’Av (the 15th of Av) is a day of celebration. (Which will be on the 19th.) It is a day of new beginnings. It is a day to go find one’s Valentine, so to speak. Traditionally, the young women would dance in the vineyards, in search of a mate who would join them. Many rabbis think of this as the most important holiday, with Yom Kippur a close second! Maybe that says something about love and forgiveness!
Many loving activities have become associated with Tu B’Av. One of particular note is an effort at reconciliation. Of course, peacemaking is encouraged and a calling every day of the year. As the apostle Paul puts it in Romans 12, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (v. 18).
[An interpretation of Tu B’Av]
Still, it is helpful to have a special reminder to lay down our arms. Is there someone with whom we need to make peace? Such an effort might possibly mean swallowing our pride! Is there a group of people we are called to see in a new light? Perhaps those of a different nationality… those of a different political party… those who cheer for the wrong team?!
Stay the course—and let our mourning turn to dancing.