When you are told Tu B'Av - what do you think of? The initial tendency these days is to think of weddings and relationships. However, in the sources, Tu B'Av has another great and important aspect - this day marks the transition point from summer to winter.
At this time of year, the days begin to shorten and the nights to lengthen. During the long days, people are more active outside, in their work and pursuits. At night, they return to their homes. As the night becomes longer, a person has more time, which is appropriate to dedicate to Torah study. Therefore, Tu B'Av carries with it a message of strengthening our connection with the Torah.
Dive into the water
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After years of detachment and disconnection from the sources, the recognition of the importance of knowing the 'Jewish bookcase' has begun to seep into the hearts of many. The public is growing uncomfortable with the lack of familiarity with the Jewish heritage, and a desire to learn and understand it is developing.
You can talk 'about' Judaism and you can dive into it. You can hear many lectures about the wonderful taste of an apple, its mineral composition and its important contribution to man. At a certain point, the listeners will say: "Well, let us bite into an apple and feel its taste.".
Anyone who has a genuine desire to connect with Jewish heritage should simply start studying. You can start with the five Torah volumes, the books of halacha, the Mishnah and Talmud, and the teachings of Hasidism. There are wonderful reference books these days that allow even beginners to study Torah. Of course, the best thing is to join a regular Torah class, which has a double advantage - learning from a teacher and a fixed framework that encourages the person to persevere.
Strengthening Torah study is equally necessary for those with a Torah background. Unfortunately, there are even yeshiva graduates who, when they get caught up in the whirlwind of work, errands, and family, actually disconnect from Torah study. They will tell you, after letting out a sigh, that they love Torah and want to study it, but 'it just doesn't work out.'.
Tu B'Av is a wake-up call for each and every one of us - we must study Torah and increase our Torah lessons. With all due respect to our many pursuits, they cannot come at the expense of a constant and continuous connection with the Torah.
Our sages likened this connection to the need of a fish for water. Thus, "the Torah is our life." It is impossible to disconnect from the source of life, even if we have good excuses.
House of Torah
The commitment that every Jew feels to studying Torah is a fundamental component of our Jewish identity. The people of Israel were called the "people of the book" because in every community and committee, in every generation, the natural sight was to see in the evening in the Beit Midrash the craftsmen, merchants, and dignitaries of the city, sitting and studying. One in front of a Gemara, another holding a Mishnah, a third a Pentateuch, a fourth poring over the Shulchan Aruch, and a fifth reciting Tehillim.
This connection to the Torah will enrich our lives, infuse our lungs with spiritual oxygen, and give our thirsty souls the pure water they long for. The life of the entire household will rise to a higher level. When parents study Torah, children absorb the love for the Torah and its values.
So where is your lesson?
