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Av  אָב

Av is the fifth month of the Biblical calendar, and while not mentioned specifically in the Scriptures, it is mentioned in the Talmud, around and about the 3^rd century CE.    It is a month of 30 days, occurring during the months of July and August of the Gregorian calendar.  Av is considered the ‘lowest’ of the Hebrew months, in particular the first nine days of this month, referred to as the Nine Days, which are observed as Days of Mourning over the destruction of the first two temples in Jerusalem.  The 9^th of Av has a list of tragedies that took place on this day throughout history, beginning with the evil report of ten of the twelve spies (see Num 13), through the destruction of both of the temples, and continuing with the expulsion of the Jews from Spain under the Spanish Inquisition – all occurring on the 9^th of Av.  There are many traditions associated with this month – a long list of ‘don’ts’ – that are interesting in and of themselves.^[1]

Also interesting to note is that the Hebrew letter tet is the letter identifying with the month of Av, and is the ninth (9) letter of the Hebrew alphabet, paralleling the Nine Days of mourning.  Simeon, whose name means ‘hear’ or ‘heard’,  is the tribe that represents this month, with the implication being that one needs to pay attention to what is ‘heard’, such as an evil report (as that of the 10 spies), or LaShon Hara (evil and malicious speech).^[2]  The constellation of Leo is linked with the month of Av, and the gemstone is that of a topaz.^[3]

Important days during the month of Av:

9^th           Tisha B’Av, the 9^th of Av, an annual fast day that commemorates the

destruction of both temples.

[1] https://www.onjewishmatters.com/archives/7781

[2] https://www.inner.org/times/av/av.htm

[3] https://www.betemunah.org/mazaroth.html