Tu B’Av: The Hidden Jewish Holiday of Love and New Beginnings

Tu B’Av—the 15th of the month of Av—might just be the most surprising holiday you’ve never heard of. Celebrated this year on August 9, 2025, it’s a day with almost no formal rituals, yet the Talmud calls it one of the happiest days of the Jewish year.

Historically, it was a day when unmarried people would gather, dance in vineyards, and meet potential partners. In a way, it was an ancient matchmaking festival—a celebration of love and connection. The joy of Tu B’Av contrasts sharply with the sadness of Tisha B’Av just days earlier, signaling a shift from grief to renewal.

While modern observance is minimal (we skip the usual confessions in prayer and some people increase Torah study), the themes are universal: love, new beginnings, and hope. Some communities use the day to highlight Jewish unity and relationships—romantic and otherwise. It’s also the first day people begin to wish each other a “Shanah Tovah,” a good new year, with Rosh Hashanah only six weeks away.

Tu B’Av reminds us that after darkness comes light. It’s about seeing potential—whether in relationships, personal growth, or the future of the world. You don’t need rituals or formality to make it meaningful. Sometimes, just showing up for joy is enough.