Shalom, everyone! Rosh Chodesh Av, the first day of the Fifth Month, begins sundown Tuesday, July 21, 2020, on the Hebrew calendar, with the sighting of the new moon (first visible crescent). Gevirah.com wishes a “Chodesh Tov” (“A Good Month”) to all who observe!

About This Month

Av is the Fifth Month of the ecclesiastical Hebrew calendar. Archaeological sources suggest that prior to the Babylonian Exile, this month was known as Karar. The word “Karar” is a Canaanite-Phoenician word meaning “heat (of summer).” After the Babylonian exile, the Fifth Month became known as “Av.” The word “Av” comes from the Akkadian word “Abu“ which means “father.” In Hebrew, the word “Av” also means “father.”

The following are the holidays and special events that occur during the month of Av:

• 9 of Av – Tzom HaChamishi/Tisha B’Av (Fast of the Fifth Month)

The following are some of the significant events in Bnei Yisrael history which occurred during the month of Av:

• Av – Hananiah son of Azzur the prophet gave a false prophecy concerning the Babylonian captivity, stating that it would end in two years. The Almighty gave Hananiah the death penalty.
• Av 1 – Death of Aharon the High Priest.
• Av 1 – Ezra and first group of exiles from the Persian Empire return to Jerusalem.
• Av 7 – Babylonian Army invaded, set fire to and destroyed the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem, stealing all the temple vessels and the treasury.
• Av 7 – Babylonians carried away captive the elite of the inhabitants of Jerusalem into exile. The poor and unskilled were left behind.
• Av 9 – The Roman Army set fire to and destroyed the Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem, stealing all the temple vessels and the treasury.
• Av 10 – Some elders of Yisrael came to the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of The Almighty.

For more information on the Fifth Month, Av, please watch our video, WATCH: Hebrew Calendar: The Fifth Month – Av – Mar 03 2020.