The 15th of Av is undoubtedly a most mysterious day.

During this month of Av, the 9th of Av that falls around summer time (July or August), this is when the two Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed.

On the 15th Av, being 5 days counting from the 9th of Av, this becomes the most mysterious day.

Why is the day mysterious?

The day becomes mysterious because of the quick shift and change that happens in the same month of Av.

The 9th of Av is a day of fasting and mourning over the tragedies that have taken place during this month of Av ( during this time, joyous moments and festivals, like weddings, should not take place).

But the moment we come into the 15th of Av, (just 5 days a way from the 9th

Picture was taken from shadchancoach.com

And the Talmud tells us that many years ago the “daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the vineyards” on the 15th of Av, and “whoever did not have a wife would go there” to find himself a bride.

The full moon of the 15th of Av reminds us that:

When the children of God (the 12 tribes of Israel) dwell in a harmonized atmosphere of mutual respect, mutual exchange, and justice, which is instituted via the state of keeping God’s laws (mitzvah), holy marriages structured according to God’s moral principles etc,

this type of lifestyle activates God’s blessings which reaches their climaxed state during the full moon (15th) of the month of Av.

this type of lifestyle activates God’s blessings, which reaches their climaxed state during the full moon (15th) of the month of Av.

This climaxed state of the 15th of Av, becomes the prototype state (Joyous moments, festival celebrations,) that the glorious presence of God manifested during the time when the Temple of God was still standing in Jerusalem.

A search of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) reveals no observances or customs for this date, except for the instruction that the tachanun (confession of sins) and similar portions should be omitted (read out loud) from the daily prayers (as is the case with all festive dates),

And that one should increase one’s study of Torah, since the nights are beginning to grow longer (in the northern hemisphere), and “the night was created for study and prayer.”

And the Talmud considers this the greatest festival of the year, with Yom Kippur (!) a close second!

Indeed, the 15th of Av (full moon of the month of Av)is the festival of the future redemption,  and thus a day whose essence, by definition, is unknowable to our unredeemed selves.

Yet also the unknowable is also ours to seek and explore

Read more about the different events that happened on this day – The 15th of Av

Part of the article is taken from Chabad…click here to read

Part of the article is taken from the Council of Ngabo click here