15th of Av Videos

The Talmud states in Tractate Taanit: “Never were there more joyous days for the Jewish people than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur,” listing five or six joyous events that occurred on 15 Av throughout history. What is it about the energy of the 15th of Av that attracts so much joy?

Kabbalistic teachings explain that if G-d ever allows for a descent in goodness and holiness, it can only be for the purpose of achieving something even greater. This concept, in fact, sheds light on a peculiar statement in the Mishnah. An address about the unique holiday marked on the 15th of Av.

Throughout our history, this day has been one of celebration and joy. Here is why.

The fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Av is described as a great festive day. The mystics explain that its specialty is connected to coinciding with a full moon (similar to the holidays Passover and Sukkot). Discover a life-changing insight gleaned from the full moon.

On the 15th of Av young men and women would meet in the vineyards of Jerusalem for the purpose of finding their soul-mate. The beautiful girls among them would declare that a young man aught set his eyes to beauty alone. The Talmud does not censure them, even mildly. But surely, as Scripture states, "Charm is false and beauty has no substance"?! (Likutei Sichos vol. 19, p. 80)

Connecting the dots between dancing in circles, a full moon, breaking the ax, and escaping death.

“There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. On these days the daughters of Jerusalem would go out . . . (for matchmaking).” This cryptic passage of the Talmud—like many others—requires further study, elaboration and context to better understand its meaning and significance.

This Talmud class is about the 15th day of Menachem-Av. This date is identified in the Gemara as the holiday once celebrated as the happiest of them all! The final Mishnah in tractate Taanit states that Israel has no days as festive as the fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur! The Gemmara asks for an explanation for this surprising statement about the festive nature of the fifteenth of Av. Initially, we may find the Talmud’s answers somewhat perplexing, but with proper analysis and the deep insight provided by our Rabbis, especially the brilliant explanation by the Rebbe, we'll find it totally enlightening and truly uplifting!

Blessings for joy and healing in the days approaching the fifteenth of Av, an auspicious day on the Jewish calendar.

We see that the more necessary something is for survival, the more available it is. For example, a house can be expensive, clothing is more affordable, food even more, and air which we need to breathe, is free. The same is true with Torah and commandments. While commandments have their limitations in time and other requirements, Torah study is something which can always be done, pointing to how necessary it really is for our survival.

On Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av the maidens of Jerusalem would go out to its vineyards where young men had gathered, like them, to find their partner in marriage. There the maidens would dance wearing borrowed white gowns. This class addresses the spiritual dimensions of this sublime encounter.

The 15th of Av is from the most festive days of the year. The gemara relates as cause for rejoicing, that it’s the day they broke the axes. Discover how Tu B'Av counteracts the tragedy of Tisha B'Av.

At the end of gemara Taanis, we learn of the lesser known festival of the 15th of Av, when the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and say some interesting things, which get us to ask what is the value of a Jewish person?