May you have a constructive new month of Av!
MENACHEM AV 5783 (July 19 – Aug. 17, 2023)
[from Sefer HaYetzira]
|
Month |
Sign |
Letter |
Tribe |
Limb |
sense |
Sefirah Channel |
Permutation of the Name |
|
5 |
Leo |
tet |
Shimon |
Left kidney |
Hearing |
Chochma to Tiferet |
K.V.Y.K. |
1 Menachem Av (July 19) — First day of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. Yahrzeit of Aharon, the first High Priest. The beginning of strict mourning for the destruction of the two Temples.
4 Menachem Av (July 22) — Shabbat Devarim, called Shabbat Chazon, (Vision) after the first word of the Haftorah, which deals with the destruction of the Temple and the resulting exile. Torah Reading: Deut. 1:1-3:22; Haftorah Isaiah 1:1-27 (third Haftorah of affliction).
5 Menachem Av (July 23) — The yahrzeit of the ARI HaKadosh, (Rabbi Yitschak Luria, 1534-1572) among the greatest Kabbalists of all time, leader of the Kabbalists of Tsfat after the death of Rabbi Moshe Cordevero. Beginning of the 33rd year in current Ascent building!
9 Menachem Av (July 26-27) – Fast day of the 9th of Av. Eating and drinking is forbidden from sunset on Wednesday until Thursday night. Since the fast falls on Thursday, some laws of mourning observed during “The three weeks” come to an end already that night, but others such as the hearing of music etc. are permissible only from noon of the 10th of Av.
11 Menachem Av (July 28-29) — Shabbat VaEthChanan, Shabbat Nachamu: the first of the seven Shabbatot of Consolation after the destruction, with prophecies of the future when “G-d’s glory will be revealed.” Torah Reading: Deut 3:23-7:11; Haftorah Isaiah 40:1-26
15 Menachem Av (Aug. 1-2) A day of great rejoicing, of which the Sages say: “There were no greater festivals among Jews than the 15th of Av”; “Matchmaking Day”. On this date the girls would dress in white and dance in the orchards.
18 Menachem Av (Aug. 4-5) — Shabbat Ekev, Torah Reading: Deut. 7:12-11:25; Haftorah Isaiah 49:14-51:3
25 Menachem Av (Aug. 11-12) — Shabbat Re’eh, Shabbat Mevarchim (blessing the coming month). Torah Reading: Deut.11:26-16:17; Haftorah Isaiah 54:11-55:5
30 Menachem Av (Aug. 17) — First day of Rosh Chodesh Elul and Beginning of Ascent’s 41st year!