Tu B”Av

On Tu B”Av, the 15th of Av, young Jewish women would go out to dance in the vineyards, as the sages describe. This holiday, which comes after the mourning days for the destruction of the Temple, marks the approach of the end of summer. It is also said that on this date, they finished cutting wood for the altar in the Temple. After a long summer’s work, people’s hearts were filled with joy. In these days of transition from mourning to happiness, the prophets promise great comfort in the rebuilding of Jerusalem: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your G-d, speak to the heart of Jerusalem.”