With sunset this evening, the first day of the month of Av begins. Av is the fifth month of the Jewish year, counted from the month of Nissan, as required by Jewish tradition. That’s how the Torah refers to it – “the fifth month.” For example:
“Aaron went up to Mount Hor… and died there, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month” (Numbers 33:38).
Rosh Chodesh Av always lasts one day because the previous month, Tammuz, has only 29 days. The month of Av itself always has 30 days.
The name “Av” is of Babylonian origin, like all the other Hebrew month names. The month is also called Menachem Av – “Av the Comforter” – as it is during this month that we seek comfort from the tragedies that occurred, especially the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
There is a tradition: before the 9th of Av, the month is referred to simply as “Av,” and after the 9th, it is called “Menachem Av,” reflecting hope for future consolation.
The most significant date of the month is undoubtedly the 9th of Av – a day of national mourning. However, in the Book of Eicha (Lamentations), it is also called a moed – a festival. “He has called an appointed time” (Eicha 1:15). This teaches that in the future, G-d will transform the 9th of Av from a day of mourning and fasting into one of joy and celebration.
