Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av – Background, details, & Halachos

The name of the month-Menachem Av:[1]

The name Av: The Akkadian meaning of the word Av possibly is wood. The Hebrew meaning of the word is father, as this month is the head of all tragedies.[2]

The name Menachem: The name Menachem is an integral part of the name of the month of Av. This extends to the ruling that if a document had only the name Menachem written and not the name Av, it is valid.[3] This term emphasizes the comforting of the father, Hashem during this month.

Month of mercy:[4]

The month of Av is a month of mercy. The term father represents mercy, as the verse states Av Harachaman. This does not contradict the terrible tragedies that occurred in this month, as the tragedies occurred in order to chastise the Jewish people and bring them back to the path of G-d. It is similar to a merciful father who disciplines his son.

Important dates in the month of Av:

The death of Ahron: Ahron passed away on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av [in the year 2488].[5] Ahron was known for being a peacemaker amongst families and friend and one is hence to emulate his actions especially in this month.[6]

The 5th of Av: The Arizal passed away on the 5th day of Menachem Av. This is an auspicious day for the bringing of the redemption.[7]

The seventh of Av: On the 7th day of Menachem Av, the gentiles entered the Heichal.[8] One is to increase in his pleas for the redemption on this day.[9]

Important dates after the 9th of Av: See Chapter 7!

On Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, may one eat meat and listen to music Lekavod Rosh Chodesh?[10]

All laws and regulations that apply during the nine days, begin to apply starting from sunset of the entrance of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, and there is no extra leniency on Rosh Chodesh. Hence, even on Rosh Chodesh one may not eat meat, drink wine, or listen to music. This however, only applies to Ashkenazim, however Sephardim may eat meat and drink wine on Rosh Chodesh, until after Rosh Chodesh, until the second of Menachem Av.[11]

[1] See Likkutei Sichos 23:215

[2] Midrash Hasheimos ibid

[3] Get Pashut E.H. 126:35, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 126:12; Aruch Hashulchan 126:16

[4] Sefer Hamamarim Nachamu 5670

[5] Bamidbar 20:28; Michaber 580:1; Tur 580

[6] Likkutei Sichos 24:334

[7] Hisvadyus 5749 4:117

[8] Taanis 29a

[9] Hisvadyus 5749 4:122

[10] See regarding meat: Second opinion in Michaber 551:9; Tur 551; Maharil; M”A 551:26 “and so is the law by Rosh Chodesh according to us”; Seder Hayom “even though Rosh Chodesh is a day of joy, this does not apply to Rosh Chodesh Av being that it is the start of tragedy and on this day Aron passed away”; M”B 551:58 “So is the custom in these provinces” based on Derech Hachaim and Chayeh Adam; Mamar Modechai 551:9; Nezirus Shimshon 551; Kaf Hachaim 551:125-126; Mur Veohalos 39; Toras Chaim Sofer 551:19; Nefesh Chayah O.C. 551:1; Minhagei Maharam Eish; Nitei Gavriel 26:2 footnote 3; See also Yerushalmi Taanis 4:5 See regarding music that starting from Rosh Chodesh the restriction becomes even more severe: Kitzur SH”A 122:1; Biur Halacha 551 “Mematin” in name of Peri Megadim “May play for gentiles for Parnasa” and Derech Hachaim “Implies that even according to the Peri Megadim it is only allowed until Rosh Chodesh”

Other customs: Some individuals who are accustomed to eating meat on every Rosh Chodesh, are accustomed to eat meat even on Rosh Chodesh Av. [Toras Chaim Sofer 551:19; Shaar Yissachar Mamarei Tamuz Veav ]

[11] Kaf Hachaim 551:125-126; Kneses Hagedola 551:26 custom of Kushta; Chida in Moreh Baetzba 233; Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 15; Kol Eliyahu 45; Yechaveh Daas 1:41; Chazon Ovadia and Yalkut Yosef; Harav Mutzafi [This is unlike the common misconception that Sefaradim avoid meat only on the week of Tisha B’av. I personally asked a number of Sefaradim in Israel and Diaspora and all stated they follow the custom to avoid meat from the 2^nd of Menachem Av]