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Click here for the Complete Laws of Tishe Beav
The 15th of Av:
The Fifteenth of Av, commonly known as Tu B’Av, is described by Chazal as one of the greatest and most joyous days in the Jewish calendar. The Mishnah famously declares that there were no festivals as joyful for the Jewish people as Yom Kippur and the Fifteenth of Av. While at first glance this statement is surprising, considering that Tu B’Av is not a Biblical or Rabbinically mandated holiday, the Gemara explains that many historic events of national significance occurred on this day, transforming it into a day of unity, salvation, forgiveness, renewal, and joy.
Tu B’Av represents the dramatic transition from the mourning of Tisha B’Av to consolation and rebuilding. Just days after commemorating the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, we celebrate a day that symbolizes the healing of divisions among the Jewish people, the removal of harsh decrees, the restoration of national unity, and the hope of future redemption. The day became especially associated with shidduchim and marriage, as the daughters of Jerusalem would gather and encourage the young men to choose spouses based on character, virtue, and lineage rather than external beauty.
In addition to its historical significance, the writings of the Arizal reveal a profound spiritual dimension to Tu B’Av. The full moon of Av symbolizes the transformation of darkness into light and descent into ascent. Since it follows directly after the sorrow of Tisha B’Av, the elevation experienced on Tu B’Av is considered uniquely powerful and therefore worthy of special rejoicing. Furthermore, Chazal teach that beginning from the Fifteenth of Av, as the nights begin to lengthen, a special opportunity is granted to increase Torah learning during the nighttime hours, bringing added blessing and longevity.
This Halacha discusses the reasons for the greatness of Tu B’Av, the historical events that occurred on this day, its connection to shidduchim, the Kabbalistic significance of the day, the obligation to increase Torah study at night, the omission of Tachanun, the prohibition against fasting, and the custom of beginning to exchange blessings for a good year as the season of Elul approaches.
- A Day of Great Joy
The Mishneh[1] states: Rebbe Shimon Ben Gamliel said, “There were not days of joy for the Jewish people like the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur.”
- A Day for Shidduchim[2]
This day became a day of Shidduchim, where men would pick for themselves brides. The potential brides would all go out with white clothing and tell the bachelors to choose for themselves a girl of good character and lineage and to not look at matters of vanity, such as beauty.
- The Historic Events of Tu B’Av:[3]
The Gemara lists several opinions regarding matters that occurred on the 15th of Av, which is the cause for its great celebratory status. These reasons are not contradictory of each other, and in truth all occurred on this day. Each Sage mentions the matter which he received as a tradition from his teacher.[4]
- Intermarriage between tribes: Rav Yehuda stated in the name of Shmuel that on this day the Shevatim were allowed to intermarry with each other. [In the first generation that entered Eretz Yisrael, it was prohibited for the member of one tribe to marry the member of another tribe, due to the conflicts this could potentially cause in the inheritance of portions of land in the region of one tribe to another tribe. This prohibition only applied in the first generation and was officially revoked on the 15th of Av.[5]]
- Saving the tribe of Binyaman: Rav Yosef and Rav Yochanon stated that on this day the tribe of Binyaman was permitted to marry. [During the episode of Pilegesh Begiva, the tribe of Binyaman was nearly annihilated and could not marry, due to all its daughters being killed, and due to the remainder of the Jewish tribes having sworn not to give them any of their daughters as wives. There were 600 men of Binyamon remaining and no women available to be given to them in marriage. While 400 girls were obtained from the town of Yaveish Gilaad, they still needed to obtain 200 more. On the 15th of Av, when the girls went to dance in Shilo, the 200 remaining men of Binyaman came and took for themselves wives. Accordingly, this day became a national event of salvation for the tribe of Binyoman, saving them from annihilation.[6]]
- End of death for Dor Hamidbar: Raba Bar Bar Chana said it is the day that the generation of the Midbar ceased to die. [Each year on Tisha B’av, throughout the 40 years in the desert, the men would dig for themselves a grave and lie in it throughout Tisha B’av, expecting their ultimate death that day. In the 40th year, everyone got up alive in their grave. They wondered how this happened and that perhaps they made a mistake in the calendar. It was not until the 15th of the month of Av, when they saw the full moon, that they realized there was no mistake, and that the Divine decree had been rescinded.[7]]
- Allowance for pilgrimage of Kingdom of Israel: Ula says it is the day that Hosheia Ben Ala removed the blockades that were placed by Yeravam Ben Nevat that prevented the Jewish people from visiting the Temple in Jerusalem.
- Burial of corpses of Beitar: Rav Masna says that on this day the corpses of Beitar were permitted to be buried.
- Temple wood cutting: Raba and Rav Yosef said that on this day the cutting of wood for the Temple ceased.
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The Kabbalistic reason behind its greatness:[8] In the writings of the Arizal[9] it is explained that the greatness of the 15th of Av is that on this day we experience a full moon. The full moon represents a high spiritual level. Now, although in truth every month contains a full moon, the full moon of this month is unique being that it comes after the great descent of Tisha B’av. Hence in comparison to the great descent experienced some days prior, the elevation now experienced is so much greater, that it became a day fit for celebration.
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- Increasing Torah Study at Night:[10]
From the 15th of Av and onwards the strength of the sun is diminished. This means that there are less daylight hours in the day, and consequently more nighttime hours. The nighttime is an auspicious time for Torah learning. Accordingly, starting from the 15th of Av, one who increases in Torah learning at night, using the newly added night hours for spiritual service, will have days added to his life. One who doesn’t, will have his days shortened.[11] [Learning at night contains special Segulo/powers. The quality of one’s learning is greater, as one can feel more connected to Hashem in one’s learning.[12] One learns majority of his wisdom at night and can merit Keser Torah through learning at night.[13]]
- Tachanun:
Tachanun is omitted on the 15th of Av.[14] It is omitted starting from Mincha of the 14th.[15]
- Fasting:[16]
It is forbidden to fast on the 15th of Av. Thus, a Chasan and Kallah do not fast on the day of their wedding if it falls on the 15th of Av.
- Wishing Kesiva Vechasima Tova:
We begin to wish each other a “Kesiva Vachasima Tovah”[17] starting from Rosh Chodesh Elul. Some[18] are accustomed to beginning doing so from the 15th of Menachem Av.
Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Ruling |
| Status of Tu B’Av | One of the happiest days of the year |
| Associated with shidduchim | Yes |
| Intermarriage between tribes permitted | Occurred on this day |
| Tribe of Binyamin saved | Occurred on this day |
| Decree against Dor Hamidbar ended | Recognized on this day |
| Pilgrimage to Jerusalem restored | Occurred on this day |
| Burial of Beitar victims permitted | Occurred on this day |
| Increase Torah study at night | Strongly encouraged |
| Tachanun | Omitted |
| Begins omitting Tachanun | Mincha of the 14th of Av |
| Fasting | Forbidden |
| Chasan and Kallah fast | No |
| Some begin Kesivah V’Chasimah Tovah greetings | From Tu B’Av |
Practical Examples
Example 1
A person adds extra time to his nightly Torah learning schedule beginning on Tu B’Av in response to Chazal’s encouragement to utilize the longer nights.
Example 2
A Chasan scheduled to marry on Tu B’Av does not observe the customary wedding fast because of the festive nature of the day.
Example 3
At Mincha on the Fourteenth of Av, Tachanun is omitted in honor of the approaching celebration of Tu B’Av.
Example 4
A teacher explains to students how Tu B’Av commemorates the survival of the tribe of Binyamin and the end of the decree against the generation of the wilderness.
Example 5
Members of a community begin extending wishes of “Kesivah V’Chasimah Tovah” from Tu B’Av, highlighting the connection between the day and the approaching Yamim Nora’im.
[1] Taanis 26b
[2] Taanis 26b
[3] Taanis 30b; Bava Basra 121a-b
[4] Rashi Bava Basra ibid
[5] See Rashi ibid
[6] See Shoftim 20-21
[7] Rashi ibid
[8] Mamar Lo Hoyu Yomim Tovim 5735; Rebbe Rashab Mamar Nachamu 5670
[9] Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Chag Hashavuos
[10] Taanis 31a; Bava Basra 121a-b
[11] Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 4:8; Rama 245:23
[12] Likkutei Sichos 34 p. 43
[13] Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 4:8
[14] Siddur Admur; Michaber 131:6; Taz 421:1; Levush 131:6; Peri Chadash 131; Hayom Yom 14th Menachem Av
[15] Siddur Admur; Levush ibid; Peri Chadash ibid; Hayom Yom 14th Menachem Av
[16] M”A 573:1; Elya Raba 573:3; P”M 573 A”A 1; Chayeh Adam 132:43; M”B 573:7
[17] “You shall be written in and sealed for a good year”. This is hinted to in the words “Vayishalu Ish Lireieihu Leshalom” which is also an acronym for Elul [Likkutei Mahrich]
[18] Custom to begin from the 15th of Av: Shaar Yissacher and Darkei Chaim Veshalom [684; Munkatch] write that one is to begin wishing each other Leshana Tova starting from the 15th of Av. The Rebbe states that it is a Minhag Yisrael to do so. [Hisvadyos 1991 Vol. 4 p. 179; printed in Shulchan Menachem 3:72] The Gematria of “Chamisha Asar Beav” is the same as “Kesiva Vechasima Tova”. [Darkei Chaim Veshalom ibid; Hisvadyos ibid] This is also hinted to in the acronym for the Mazal of Menachem Av which is “Aryeh” and stands for Elul; R”H; Yom Kippur; Hoshanah Raba, as in the month of Av is hinted to the completion of the Piska Tova of Hoshanah Raba. [Rebbe ibid] This blessing is found in letters of the Rebbe Rayatz and Rebbe written in the month of Menachem Av. [Otzer p. 11-13]