Tu B'Av

Twice mistakes were made, and in both cases we paid dearly for the mistakes - yet we learn from our mistakes.

The enthusiasm which accompanies falling in love helps getting married. However, it doesn't guarantee a happy marriage.

So much has been written over the course of history about the always-fascinating topic of Love. It encompasses many aspects of our lives, whether between parents and children, between G-d and mankind, between man and woman, or just simply various experiences in which we "love" to engage. The Torah tells us to "love your friend as yourself" and to "love Hashem your G-d." It also relates that Yitzchak loved his wife Rivka, and that the two of them loved each of their sons, respectively. Yet, there is still much room to clarify what precisely is the Torah's approach to this issue.

The best and most up-to-date information on love and marriage exists in the Beit Midrash. Both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah provide us with guidance on how we should love. We should therefore take advantage and clarify this weighty issue from the Torah's perspective, not only via human insights.

What happened on Tu B'av, and what makes it a significant day?

The Day of Atonement focuses on repentance between man and God, atoning for the Sin of the Golden Calf which effected man's relation to God. The 15th of Av aims at worldly redemption, atoning for the Sin of the Spies who disavowed the land of Israel.

The enthusiasm which accompanies falling in love is actually meant to help a person take the monumental step of getting married. Such emotion, however, does not guarantee a happy marriage. Good traits and shared goals are much more important.