Av (month)
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Av (also Menachem Av,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Hebrew name) is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is a month of 30 days, and usually occurs in July–August on the Gregorian calendar.
The Babylonian Talmud states that "when we enter [the month of] Av, our joy is diminished".<ref>Taanit 29a</ref> This is because the darkest events in Jewish history occurred during the first week and a half of this month, particularly the Nine Days which culminate in Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of Av. However, the month also contains a holiday called Tu B'Av which was, in ancient times, considered one of the happiest days of the year.
Etymology
Originally Abu on the Babylonian calendar, the name is derived from Akkadian ʾAbū, which might mean "reed" or be connected to the name of the Mesopotamian god Abu.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Others derive the name of the month from the Hebrew word "Av" - "father".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The name Ab (Template:Langx) also appears in the Arabic language for the month of August in the Levant (see Arabic names of calendar months).
The name Ab appears in Aramaic ostraca from the Persian period,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> in Aramaic documents from Ancient Egypt and Palmyra, in Masada and Qarnayim ostraca, in the best manuscripts of Targum Jonathan to Ez. 20:1,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and in Rabbinic literature starting with Megillat Taanit.<ref name="Taanit">Template:Cite web</ref> It is one of several months which are not named in the Hebrew Bible.
Menachem Av
The nickname Menachem Av, used particularly by Ashkenazim at the Template:Interlanguage link,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> has no clear origin. It is variously interpreted to mean Comforter of the Alphabet,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Comforter of the Father,<ref>Schneerson, Menachem Mendel. Ra'yanot lefarshiot hashavua (in Hebrew). Vol. 27. p. 252.</ref> and Comforting Father.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Holidays
- Av 9 – Tisha B'Av
- Av 15 – Tu B'Av
In Jewish history
- 1 Av (circa 1273 BCE) – Death of high priest Aaron<ref>Numbers 33:38.</ref>
- 1 Av (513 BCE) – Ezra and his followers arrive in Israel
- 5 Av (1572 CE) – Hillula of the Arizal
- 7 Av (586 BCE) – First Temple invaded by King Nebuchadnezzar<ref>II Kings 25:8.</ref>
- 7 Av (67 CE) – Civil war breaks out in besieged Jerusalem; one group set fire to the city's food stores, which is said to have quickened starvation.Template:Citation needed
- 7 Av (1492 CE) – Jews of Spain expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
- 7 Av (1853) - Death of Rabbi Moshe Greenwald, Rav of Khust and author of Arugath Habosem
- 9 Av (586 BCE and 70 CE) – Holy Temples destroyed by the Babylonians and Romans respectively.
- 9 Av (133 CE) – Fall of Betar to the Romans, ending Bar Kochba's rebellion.
- 9 Av (1290 CE) – Jews are expelled from England by King Edward I and not permitted to legally return for 350 years.
- 10 Av (70 CE) – The Holy Temple, set on fire the previous day, finishes burning.
- 12 Av (1263) – Disputation of Barcelona between Nachmanides and Pablo Christiani.
- 13 Av (1984) - Death of Rabbi Yosef Greenwald, Rebbe of Pupa and author of Vaychi Yosef
- 15 Av (148 CE) – Betar dead buried, 15 years after the fall of the fortress.Template:Citation needed
- 15 Av – The Day of the Breaking of the Ax – when the Holy Temple existed, the cutting of firewood for the altar was completed on this date every year. The event was celebrated by feasting, rejoicing, and the ceremonial breaking of the axes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 17 Av (1929) – 67 Jews are killed in the Hebron Massacre.
- 24 Av (circa 100 BCE) – A Hasmonean holiday commemorates the reinstatement of Jewish civil law in place of Hellenist secular law on this day.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>