The minor holiday of Tu B’Av was celebrated this past Friday. The name Tu B’Av means the 15th of the month of Av, which, as the middle of the lunar month, coincides with the full moon. This year’s Tu B’Av also coincided with a lunar eclipse known as a blood moon, because of the red-tinged appearance of the moon during the eclipse. Much has been written by rabbis and Jewish commentators about the possible meaning of lunar eclipses and blood moons, including Rabbi Lazer Brody, who said that last week’s Tu B’Av blood moon “may be a warning specifically for Israel and potential war from the east. In today’s context, that might be Iran.” Which of the following is not part of the basis for the celebration of the Tu B’Av holiday?
Blood Moon 2018 by SoulRiser is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A. God ordained that the Jews who had fled Egypt into the desert would not actually be allowed to enter the Promised Land, as punishment for the sin of the spies (wherein the Jews believed the 10 spies who cast doubt on God’s promise, rather than Joshua and Caleb who offered a positive report). Tu B’Av marks the moment when the remaining 15,000 Israelites from the first generation in the desert realized that God in fact would allow them entry into the Land of Israel.
B. Tu B’Av marks the celebration of the lifting of the ban on intermarriage between members of the 12 tribes of Israel.
C. In the Mishnah, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said that on the 15th of Av, “the daughters of Jerusalem” would go out dressed in white garments and dance in the vineyards, upon which the young men would choose their brides. As a result Tu B’Av is now celebrated as the Israeli version of Valentine’s Day, with romantic dinner dates and flowers.
D. Tu B’Av was considered to be the final day on which wood could be cut to be brought to the Temple as a “wood offering.” Following this date, it was believed that the waning strength of the sun as summer’s end approached would not be strong enough to dry the wood, which was to be used as firewood on the holy altar.
E. Tu B’Av was established by the tuba players in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as a day to highlight the beauty and versatility of their instruments, in protest of the lack of tuba solos in the repertoire of the orchestra.