Tu B'Av: A celebration of love and renewal in Israel

Read this article in:

Tu B'Av, observed annually on the 15th day of Av (Hebrew: ט״ו באב, literally "the fifteenth of the month of Av"), occurs during a month of deep significance on the Hebrew calendar. This year, Tu B'Av was celebrated on Aug. 19.

According to Jewish tradition, "When Av enters, our joy is diminished," reflecting the somber tone of this month, marked by tragic events in Jewish history, including the 9-day lead up to Tisha B'Av on the ninth of Av, which commemorates the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. Despite this, Tu B'Av has historically been one of the most joyful days in ancient times.

Ancient Jewish sources describe Tu B'Av as a day traditionally celebrated by the daughters of Jerusalem dressing in white and dancing in vineyards, where men would seek brides. Various commentators suggest reasons for celebrating Tu B'Av, such as the lifting of the marriage ban between Israelite tribes, likely referring to the story in the Book of Judges (chapter 21). After a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, a vow was made prohibiting intermarriage with men from the tribe of Benjamin.

Tu B'Av begins on the night between the 14th and 15th day of the Hebrew month, coinciding with the full moon in the lunar calendar, symbolizing future redemption and the resolution of the month's earlier tragedies.

For nearly 19 centuries, Tu B'Av was minimally observed but, in recent decades, has evolved into a romantic holiday. Often referred to as the Jewish equivalent of Valentine's Day, it is now celebrated in modern Israel as a holiday of love (חג האהבה, Ḥag HaAhava).

Tu B'Av is an ideal occasion for expressing affection, whether by asking someone out, giving a gift, or even proposing. People celebrate by attending festivals or parties, like the Tu B'Av White Party in the United States or similar events in Israel.

It is also a time for reconciliation, symbolizing the reunification of the tribes – a perfect moment to make peace with someone you've had a disagreement with.

Regarding Israelis and their willingness to start a family, recent statistics for Tu B'Av show that 51,643 couples married in Israel, marking a slight 0.1% increase compared to 2021. Of these, 72% were Jewish, reflecting a 1.3% rise from the previous year.

Despite a general long-term decline in marriage rates across all religions in Israel, a significant increase was observed in 2021 following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, in 2022, marriages among those aged 25 and older declined, while younger couples saw an increase.