Love Fest


Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Today is Tu’Bav and
Where are….my chocolates and flowers?

As I’ve mentioned before I miss Valentines Day. I don’t really miss it. I just miss the idea of it. Many years ago my husband informed me that Jews (well, at least some Jews) do not celebrate Valentines Day. You see “Saint” Valentine did not make it in the Top Ten Rebbe List. In fact he didn’t make the list at all. We have issues with historical saints or any saints for that matter. Most of them didn’t take too kindly to us and even if they did, they weren’t exactly up on the 613 commandments. So, Valentines Day, as romantic as it may be is NOT a holiday for us Jews. No chocolate, no flowers no Hallmark card. Now of course we have Shabbos every week and anyone can receive flowers to liven up their Shabbos table. In addition, the woman of valor is sang each week to the “woman of the house,” so we are not lacking for appreciation, but all those red hearts and flowers are hard to pass up in February. As a kid I use to love those little candy hearts with the cute sayings printed on them. But, shuks! Turns out they have gelatin in them: the piggy kind. Too bad. 

Anyway, we do have Tu B’av that is celebrated on the 15th of Av. Historically; Tu B'av was a joyous holiday in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. Unmarried girls would dress in white clothing (so that rich could not be distinguished from poor) and go out to sing and dance in the vineyards surrounding Jerusalem. Young men who had not yet married would go to watch and choose among them wives for themselves. The Talmud states that there were no holy days as happy for the Jews as Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur. There are other historical happy events to commemorate this day, but today many people choose this day for their marriage ceremonies.

Well, I’m not holding out on Hallmark, but just in case you’re reading this and you weren’t aware. Today is Tu B’av. Go get her some flowers! Pssss.....Throw in some chocolate and you should be good to pass up Valentines Day this year.

Comments

Anonymous said…
We don't do Valentines day either --just because but I agree with you and would take chocolate any day! Mark did put fresh flowers in my room and the kitchen a week ago (cut from the gardens) and that was really nice!
Unknown said…
Hi, there! I LOVE reading your blog! I am a Christian, but have the utmost love, gratitude, and high esteem for the Jewish people as God's chosen first deliverers and proclaimers of His Truth and being. You have written the entire beginning of God's work, presence, and holiness through the history of the world: a worthy calling! Your posts are interesting, thought provoking, and humorous. I have a newborn (our 4th) and reading your posts in the wee nursing hours of the night is a treat! :) I, too, live in Atlanta so your stories are close to home! :) Many Blessings, Alysia

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