Av (alsoMenachem Av,[2]Hebrew:אָב,Modern: ʾAv,Tiberian: ʾĀḇ) is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on theHebrew calendar.[3] It is a month of 30 days, and usually occurs in July–August on theGregorian calendar.
TheBabylonian Talmud states that "when we enter [the month of]Av, our joy is diminished".[4] This is because the darkest events in Jewish history occurred during the first week and a half of this month, particularlythe Nine Days which culminate inTisha B'Av, the 9th day ofAv. However, the month also contains a holiday calledTu B'Av which was, in ancient times, considered one of the happiest days of the year.
OriginallyAbu on theBabylonian calendar, the name is derived fromAkkadianʾAbū, which might mean "reed" or be connected to the name of the Mesopotamian godAbu.[5] Others derive the name of the month from the Hebrew word "Av" - "father".[6][7] The nameAb (Arabic:آﺏ) also appears in the Arabic language for the month of August in theLevant (seeArabic names of calendar months).
The name Ab appears in Aramaic ostraca from thePersian period,[8] in Aramaic documents from Ancient Egypt and Palmyra, in Masada and Qarnayim ostraca, in the best manuscripts ofTargum Jonathan to Ez. 20:1,[9] and in Rabbinic literature starting withMegillat Taanit.[10] It is one of several months which are not named in theHebrew Bible.
The nickname Menachem Av, used particularly byAshkenazim at theAnnouncement of the New Moon [he],[11] has no clear origin. It is variously interpreted to meanComforter of the Alphabet,[12]Comforter of the Father,[13] andComforting Father.[14]
7Av (67CE) –Civil war breaks out in besiegedJerusalem; one group set fire to the city's food stores, which is said to have quickened starvation.[citation needed]
15Av (148CE) –Betar dead buried, 15 years after the fall of the fortress.[citation needed]
15Av – The Day of the Breaking of the Ax – when theHoly Temple existed, the cutting offirewood for the altar was completed on this date every year. The event was celebrated by feasting, rejoicing, and the ceremonial breaking of the axes.[19]
^Telushkin, Joseph (1991). Jewish Literacy:Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History. William Morrow & Co, 656.ISBN0-688-08506-7.
^Richmond, Colin (1992). "Englishness and Medieval Anglo-Jewry". In Kushner, Tony (ed.).The Jewish Heritage in British History. Frank Cass. pp. 44–45.ISBN0714634646.OL1710943M.
^Roth, Cecil (1962) [Originally published July 1933 in theJewish Chronicle]. "England and the Ninth of Ab".Essays and Portraits in Anglo-Jewish History. The Jewish Publication Society of America. p. 67.OL5852410M – via Internet Archive.
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