The Jewish calendar offers a rich tapestry of days, and there is literally never a week without something to celebrate or commemorate. This Shabbat is a special celebration called Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Av, meaning the Shabbat on which we communally bless the forthcoming month of Av. Shabbat Mevarchim always falls on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the sabbath preceding the celebration of a new month. Since the month of Av begins next Wednesday evening, July 19, we have an opportunity this Shabbat to dedicate ourselves, in the month ahead, to being thoughtful about what blessings we might be open to receiving during the 11th month of our Hebrew calendar year before all the spiritual work of Elul begins.
Traditionally, Av is considered to be a month of tragedy and consolation. We are taught that it was during this month that both ancient Temples were destroyed, as well as many other Jewish communal tragedies. The Ninth of Av (Tisha B’Av) is thus reserved for a fast day when we recite the Book of Lamentations and other mourners’ prayers while seated on the ground or low stools. And in addition, we also mark the 15th of Av (Tu B’Av) as a day of celebration, of recovery from our mourning ritual, a time to rejoice in love and to search for or honor our soulmate, a time to lift us out of the sadness of mourning to restoration and joy.
I have always considered the month of Av as a time for healing; our tradition makes space for us to tend to the wounds of grief and loss. And because the month following Av is the month of Elul, when we prepare ourselves for the season of repentance, I think Av is our bonus time for this spiritual work. We can’t consider how we have acted towards others, towards our community, or towards God until we tend to ourselves and our closest loved ones. Just like Shabbat Mevarchim HaChodesh gives us a head’s up that the new month is coming, so too does the entire soothing month of Av give us notice that the work of Elul is on the horizon.
As we head into Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Av, how might you consider an act of healing and repair for yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? We hope you’ll join us this Friday evening or Saturday morning as we celebrate a beautiful summer Shabbat and prepare ourselves for this month of comfort, mending, and love.—Cantor Emma Lutz