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Shalom from Rabbi Kula

August 4, 2020 – 14 Av, 5780  - Tu B’Av Love: Today and Everyday!

Shalom, Beth Shalom and Friends!

Tu B’Av, the 15th Day of Av, August 5, carries both ancient and modern significance. Tu B’Av is the Holiday of Love, Hag HaAhavah. Originating in the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, Tu B’Av had been mostly forgotten, only to be rejuvenated in contemporary Israel and beyond in recent decades. In its modern incarnation, it is similar to a Hebrew Jewish Valentine’s Day, highly sought after for romantic dates and weddings. Israeli culture promotes music and dance festivals on the night of Tu B’Av.  While it has no formal legal status as a holiday, and carries no particular liturgy nor ritual practices, this festival is worth noting as a day to celebrate Ahavah—Love.

Looking back to the Mishna, a second-century compilation of Jewish teaching, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel teaches:

There were no better (happier) days for the people of Israel than the Fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur (afternoon), since on these days the daughters of Israel/Jerusalem go out dressed in white and dance in the vineyards. What were they saying: Young man, consider whom you choose to be your wife.

Other Rabbinic explanations highlight this day as one when the Biblical tribes of Israel inter-mingled with each other, finding partners, making friends, reconciling conflicts, and fostering connections. Perhaps this was a day to find common ground and apply the Torah’s teaching, “Love your neighbor as one self”.  Based on that particular understanding, we should observe this day wholeheartedly, developing liturgy and meaningful rituals.

As with most Jewish holidays, Tu B’Av, begins on the evening before the 15^th of the Hebrew month of Av, between the 14th and 15^th, and is the night of a full moon. Similar to our ancestors in both Judaism and other cultures and religions, we link the full moon with romance, love, and magic. After all, the brightly-lit full moon dispels the darkness.

This year Tu’B’Av corresponds to August 5, and is a very personal Day of Love for me. Coreen and I celebrate our wedding anniversary August 5^th. I am blessed and grateful for Coreen and look forward to many more years of love.

Look up to the sky tonight and observe the full moon. Remind yourself of this rekindled Jewish Holiday, Yom HaAhava, Day of Love. May we all value and know the blessing of love.

Shalom U’veracha-Peace and Blessings

Rabbi Mark Kula

Hebrew Words: 
Ahavah-Love, Beracha-Blessing, Hatunah- Wedding.

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur!

Beth Shalom is active this summer, Zooming services, meetings and Torah study. We are planning for the coming year welcoming new and current affiliates tackling these challenging times.

The Ritual Committee, Amber and I are coordinating Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services. Adhering to best safety practices, and the Governor’s guidelines, we currently plan to Livestream from our Beth Shalom sanctuary. Please stay tuned for updates.

We are excited to announce our new Mahzor/ High Holy Day Prayer books are here! Thank you for donating to the New Mahzor project. Lisa Roots is affixing the inscriptions and we look forward to using them in the future. For now, we will use the digital version which will be screen-shared during our services.

We appreciate your support and engagement with Beth Shalom. Let’s continue reaching out to each other during this pandemic optimistically looking forward to the time we can all gather safely.

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