Tu B’Av, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a minor holiday that has emerged, surprisingly not from Biblical commandments, but from the wisdom of our sages as written in the Talmud. Tu B’Av is historically known as a day of love. Young women looking to marry would dance outside of the walls of Jerusalem, wearing white garments – the white was meant to be a great equalizer. No matter how rich or poor you were, you could dance to find your love. And indeed, Tu B’Av was known as an auspicious day to find a spouse! Can you imagine if modern day love were as easy as that! Today in Israel Tu B’av is still celebrated as a day of love. Perhaps slightly more commercialized than the Talmudic traditions. You can find the malls decorated with red heart balloons, stores have an abundance of chocolate, and endearingly sweet teddy bears holding plush “I love you hearts” are ready to be given as gifts.
But what does the Bible say about love? And even more so, what can we glean from the stories of Biblical love – and then – how can we apply those lessons to the ultimate romantic relationship: between God and His people?
The timing of Tu B’Av is noteworthy. It arrives just days after Tisha B’Av, our day of deepest mourning for the destruction of the Temples and other national calamities. This proximity carries a powerful message: even in the aftermath of destruction, hope and love can and should flourish.
This theme of renewal is further emphasized by Tu B’Av’s closeness to the month of Elul – spelled אלול in Hebrew, with the letters Aleph (א), Lamed (ל), Vav (ו), Lamed (ל). Elul, the month of spiritual preparation before the High Holidays, carries within its name a message of love. The letters of Elul (אלול) form an acronym for “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” (אני לדודי ודודי לי) – “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,” a verse from the Song of Songs. This phrase captures the essence of the loving relationship between God and the Jewish people, a relationship we are called to renew and deepen during this time.
In this context, Tu B’Av serves as a prelude to Elul, reminding us that the journey from destruction to renewal, from distance to closeness with the Divine, is not only possible but essential to our spiritual lives. The joy of Tu B’Av can give us the strength and optimism to begin the soul-searching of Elul, assuring us that our efforts to draw close to God will be met with Divine love.
While Tu B’Av itself isn’t mentioned in the Bible, the Hebrew Bible is full of love stories that reflect this idea of renewed connection with God. These stories go beyond simple tales of human romance. They offer deep insights into loyalty, devotion, and the challenges of committed relationships. More importantly, they serve as powerful metaphors for the relationship between God and the Jewish people.
There are three Biblical love stories stories that come to my mind: Ready to bring in the love Bible contestants? Ruth and Boaz, Jacob and Rachel, and the lovers in the Song of Songs. Each of these stories, in its own way, shows the potential for a deep and true romance with God. They reflect the shift from destruction to renewal that Tu B’Av represents, and they embody the love and longing expressed in the acronym of Elul.
The story of Ruth and Boaz is a testament to the power of loyalty, kindness, and redemption. Ruth, a Moabite widow, chooses to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem, famously declaring:
This profound act of loyalty mirrors the commitment God seeks from the Jewish people. In Bethlehem, Ruth meets Boaz, a wealthy landowner who shows her kindness and ultimately redeems her through marriage. Their story embodies key aspects of the God-Israel relationship: loyalty in the face of adversity, kindness towards the vulnerable, and redemption and renewal. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, elevating her from a destitute foreigner to a respected member of the community, God continually redeems the Jewish people, lifting them from their trials and renewing His covenant with them.
The love between Jacob and Rachel is one of the most passionate in the Bible, showcasing devotion and perseverance. Jacob falls in love with Rachel at first sight and agrees to work for her father, Laban, for seven years to earn her hand in marriage. The Bible tells us:
When Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah instead, Jacob agrees to work another seven years for Rachel. This extraordinary devotion reflects aspects of God’s relationship with Israel: immediate and profound love, willingness to labor and sacrifice for the beloved, and perseverance in the face of obstacles. God’s love for Israel is described in similarly passionate terms throughout the prophetic literature. Like Jacob, God demonstrates unwavering devotion to His people, even when they stray or face hardships. The prophet Jeremiah conveys God’s words:
The Song of Songs, while not a narrative like the other two, is a poetic exploration of love that has long been interpreted as an allegory for the relationship between God and Israel. This passionate dialogue between two lovers beautifully captures the intensity and intimacy of divine love. The lovers express intense desire and longing for each other, celebrate the beloved’s beauty and uniqueness, and convey the pain of separation and joy of reunion. These themes resonate deeply with the God-Israel relationship. The prophets often describe God’s longing for His people and His pain when they turn away. Isaiah writes:
emphasizing the intimate nature of this bond. The Song also speaks of unity:
This mutual belonging echoes the covenant between God and Israel, where both parties commit to each other in a sacred partnership.
Seen this way, the human romances in the Bible are more than just stories about individuals. They reflect the greatest love story of all – the ongoing relationship between God His people. These tales teach us about staying loyal in hard times, the power of kindness, the importance of not giving up in love, and the joy of belonging to each other.
On Tu B’Av, as we celebrate love in all its forms, let us remember that these human experiences of love offer us a glimpse into the divine. The love stories in the Hebrew Bible remind us that our capacity to love and be loved is a reflection of the sacred bond between God and His people. After all, we each have a piece of God within us. Not only allowing us to have a deep relationship with the Divine, but to create Godly interactions with the people around us.
The Hebrew Bible is a very big book – actually, 24 books, to be exact. Studying it can feel very overwhelming. Where do you start?
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