GADDI NOTES FROM SAGES WRITINGS - TISHA B”Av to TuB”Av
In ancient Israel, it was the custom that on the 15th of Av "the daughters of Jerusalem would go out in borrowed linen garments ... and dance in the vineyards" and "whoever did not have a wife would go there" to find himself a bride (Talmud, Taanit 31a).
Tu B'Av is a time when we can appreciate the greatness of redemption, starting from the lowest depths and reaching the supreme heights.
From TishaB’Av(Hatred) to TuB’Av(Ahava-Love)
Tisha B’Av is about destruction and separation from divinity world, whereas Tu B’Av is about connection to divinity world
Tisha B’Av reveals the soul’s power of “hatred”, whereas Tu B’Av reveals the soul’s power of Love
Tu B’Av, is the root of redemption, which is symbolized by David HaMelech [the root of Mashiach, who will bring the redemption].
The book of Judges calls Tub’Av “a yearly feast for Hashem in Shilo when the daughters would go out and dance in the vineyards” -Shoftim 21:18-21
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you.
But at midnight there was a cry, Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him -Brit Hadshah,Matthew 25:6
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. ……..That joy is mine, and it is now complete” -Brit Hadshah, John 3:29
Sages Writings
Building Malchut Preparing the vessels for the Inner Lights is connected with building the sefira of Malchut – referred to as “the daughters of Jerusalem” and represents the feminine aspect of the Divine, the indwelling presence of the Shechina, in contrast to the masculine aspect of the Divine which is beyond the world, and therefore associated with Surrounding Lights. This is why Tub’Av has special significance for women. For the woman is the Malchut and the mainstay of her home. The reason why the daughters get dressed up in white dresses on Tu b’Av is to indicate that now begins the period of preparing the vessels and the garments, which must be white and pure, worthy for the Divine dwelling place. The matter of dancing in the vineyards is the circle dance that shows that we are like this circumference and vessel for the Inner Lights, to become a vineyard of G-d. The vineyard also alludes to the Inner Lights, as wine is found inside the grapes. Likewise the Land of Israel is also known to be the aspect of Malchut. Therefore, the women who were devoted to the Land of Israel made up the majority of the generation who entered the Land.
It was the custom from Tu b’Av on to speak the greeting “May your inscription and seal be for good” (ketivah v’hatimah tovah). The Talmud discusses Tu b’Av at the end of Ta’anit (“Fasts”).
