ט"ו באב

pronounced in english as TU B'AV. its a jewish holiday that falls on the 15th of the month of av which is august 5th this year. it is a minor holiday in the modern hebrew calendar but still remains one of the most mysterious days of the jewish year.

in the kabbalistic calendar tu b'av is the one day where there is a complete unification between the spiritual and physical worlds. it is perfect for awakening love or discovering soulmates or strengthening relationships.

THE TALMUD is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to jewish laws and ethics and customs and history and is a central text of mainstream judaism and dates back to 200 C.E. the talmud states that TU B'AV is the greatest festival for the jews next to yom kippur.

and according to the talmud in the days of the TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM unmarried girls would dress in simple white clothing and go out to sing and dance in the surrounding vineyards on this joyous holiday. the male youths would conclude their summer chores like chopping wood in the fields on this day and would turn their attention to BRIDE HUNTING. and it also says in the talmud that the tribes of israel were permitted to mingle with each other on this day and to marry women from other tribes. tu b'av served as a matchmaking holiday.

tu b'av is considered an auspicious day for marriage in judaism. even though this day does not have specific religious observances in contemporary times it is similar to valentines day in that it is a day of love. the holiday begins tonight when the moon becomes full linking the festival with romance and fertility as well.