by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Tu B’Av is a special day in the Jewish calendar, involving Shidduchim, the king’s daughter, and the Kohen Gadol’s daughter. Other than that, not too many people know much about it – aside from the fact that Tachanun is also not said.  Yet, if we examine the sources carefully, a new theory emerges. Traditionally, it was a day when single young ladies would wear special gowns of white in order to woo a groom. The white indicated that they were free from sin. The Braisah in Taanis (31a) states that the custom was for everyone to borrow white clothing from others so that the poorer girls who, in truth, lacked the financial means to clothe themselves properly, would not be embarrassed that they did not have something to wear. Indeed, even the king’s daughter and the Kohain Gadol’s daughter exchanged clothing. WHY WAS IT ESTABLISHED? So now we know what occurred on this day. But why was it established initially?  What is the general background to this day? The Gemorah in Bava Basra (121a,b) provides a number of different reasons: RESCINDING THE LIMITATION ON SHIDDUCHIM REASON 1. Rav Yehuda in the name of Shmuel: A law existed while we were in the desert after we had left Egypt. This law banned the Shvatim from marrying one another where it would cause changes in an inheritance. This law was rescinded in the 40th year on the 15th of Av. The joy inherent in rescinding this law caused the day to become very special and joyous. It is kind of like when the freezer opens in BMG. SHAIVET BINYOMIM ALLOWED BACK IN REASON 2. Rabba Bar Bar Chana in the name of Rav Yochanan: The Tribe of Binyomin was allowed to marry into K’hal Yisroel after the incident of Pilegesh B’Givah (see Shoftim 19-21). This occurred on the 15th and signified once again the unity of Israel. STOPPED DYING REASON 3. Rav Dimi Bar Yosef in the name of Rav Nachman: The people in the Midbar stopped dying on this day. REMOVING THE BLOCKAGE TO THE BEIS HAMIKDASH REASON 4. Ullah: It was the day that Hoshea Ben Ellah undid the orchards that Yeravam placed to block passage of those who wished to visit the Beis HaMikdash. BURIAL OF BEITAR VICTIMS REASON 5. Rav Masna: It was the day that the Romans allowed the victims of Beitar to be buried and it was revealed that their bodies had miraculously shown no de-composure. TORAH LEARNING REASON 6. It was the day that the cutting of the wood for the main altar in the Bais HaMikdash was finished – so it celebrated that Mitzvah and allowed them to learn. HISTORICAL QUESTION There is a serious historical question, however, with reason number five – proposed by Rav Masna. The sources quoted in the Gemorah indicate that Tu B’Av was observed during the time of the Bais HaMikdash. This is borne out from the Braisah having mentioned above that the king’s daughter and the Kohain Gadol’s daughter also partook in the exchange of clothing. THE QUESTION But how could this be? Beitar only fell after the Hadrian came to power! This was many years after the Bais HaMikdash was destroyed! Hadrian was emperor from 117 CE to 138 CE. The […]

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