The Hebrew Month of Av
The name of the fifth month on the Jewish calendar (counting from Nisan), Av, literally means “father.” It is customary to add the name “Menachem,” which means “comforter” or “consoler”—so Menachem Av.
In this month, both Temples were destroyed and many other tragedies occurred. Yet our Father in heaven is there to comfort and console us.
See: Tisha B'av and the Three Weeks
Av includes a “low point” on the Jewish calendar—the Ninth of Av, the day of the sin of the spies, and the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. But it also incorporates a “high point”: the 15th of Av, a day designated for finding one’s predestined soulmate, and one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar.
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The Contrasting Month of Av: From Lamentations to Opportunity Even in exile we have the ability to reveal the light that’s hidden within the darkness.
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10 Facts to Know About the Month of Av Due to the tragic events that occurred during this month, its name reminds us that G-d is there to comfort us in times of tragedy.
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Join the Discussion
I notice when it comes to the Jewish Calendar there is two different ways of numbering the months. For example Month of Av is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. Why is there ecclesiastical and civil Jewish year?
Why is there a civil American year and a fiscal American year?
Why does the civil year start January 1, but the fiscal year starts Oct. 1?
Why does the "school year" start in August or September?
There is no 'ecclesiastical' anything either in Torah or Judaism thanks. That word has to do with your church not with the Torah or with Judaism which is our relationship with G-d. 'Civil or secular Jewish? No such thin as such. A Jew may be more secular than observant though their Judaism does not change since that is defined by the Torah. It has remained intact for over 3300 years.
You are also trying to interrelate secular, what you call, civil, with the Torah, with practices in Judaism. There is no mixing in the way of trying to make secular coincide with the Torah. That being said though everything in G-d's Torah of truth relates to everything in the secular world. It is where morality begins, laws and the answers to every issue that arises in everyday life.
I am a Gentile, but I am very interested in learning about the Hebrew / Jewish calendar, fasts, festival, numerical system and alphabet / numerology. Just checking websites looking to learn. I know how important the Hebrew nation is. I love Israel, and wish it and all its people peace. God bless you!
The Hebrew nation wish you well...
It's a lunar calendar. It starts with a sliver of light from the moon. A full moon is the middle of the month. It ends with all dark. The constellations are important. One constellation comes in and then goes out. They're important because they define the seasons. The calendar was able to be calculated before the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Sometimes an extra month is added like a leap year in a solar calendar. The calculations are difficult for the average mind but not for great minds.
Original Hebraic calendar began with month of Tishri (around September on what would become Gregorian calendar). G-d instructed Moses to change first month of Hebraic calendar to Nisan to commemorate bringing Israel out of Egypt at that time.
What is defined by most as 'numerology' is called gematria in Judaism. It is complicated, intense and beautiful, and linked, as everything is, with G-d's Torah of truth. All of the answers you are looking for are there. There is no sidestepping the Torah.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful teaching shared about the month of Av with us. Hashem has balance integrated into our existence. The pain of the occurrences in Av and the hope of finding our soulmate. The pain of golus and the hope of geula. The pain of sin (disconnection) and the joy of yeshiva (return).
Only good news.
May you continue to go from strength to strength.
Moshiach now.