Hodesh Av

Envoyée le 23-07-2009

AV

When Av enters, we diminish our happiness.  When we reach the 15 of Av the reach our climax in happiness as it is written in the Mishna "There were no greater festivals for the Jewish nation than the 15 of Av and Yom Kippur.

 

The month of Av is part of the 3 weeks called "Bein HaMetzarim", on the straitss, starting from 17 of Tammuz, culminating in 9 of Av, with the destruction of the first and second Temple of Jerusalem.

 

This is the month when the "meraglim" spies brought back their negative rapport of the Land of Israel. It is the month when Aaron HaKohen passed away. He is the only person to have mentioned his passing date. "in the fifth month on the fist of the month".

 

Maharal of Prague said that the number 5 means judgment "din". The Mishna lists 5 bitter herbs that can be used to fulfill the mitzvah of eating marror at the Seder. The desert symbolizes judgment because it lacks the elementary resources for life. The plague "dever", the embodiment of God's hand was the 5th plague.

 

Since "Jerusalem has sinned by committing a sin (Eicha 1:8), for she has received double for all her sins from the hand of Hashem (Yeshayah 40:2), it is appropriate to comfort her twice. A measure for a measure in Hebrew it is said: "midah ke neged midah".

 

Av means ``father`` in Hebrew. The father is the one that gives and provides. We know that whatever happens during this month that is a charged month and in any other time, it is for the good.

 

This month reveals that out of destruction comes rebirth. The same way that Rabbi Akiva laughed as he walked through the ruins of the destroyed Temple, we should look into the bad, what is good. By judging thinks positively, since we do not know `really`` how events will turn out, we keep faith that at the end it is fir the good, le tova.

 

As Rabbi Akiva said that one part of the Torah has been come into fruition, so the rest will come as well. That is what we call Yemei Ha Mashiah!. The days when we will see the Glory of God close to us '' And a man will no longer teach his neighbor, nor a man his brother. Recognize G.; for they will all know Me, both great and small, says G. for I will forgive their guilt, and no longer remenber their transgression. (Yirmeyahu 31, 33).

 

We will not meet this Rosh Hodesh. I hope to see you in the month of Ellul.

Best wishes ,

Estela

 

 

 

 

 

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