Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Harvey Belovski, rabbi at Golders Green United Synagogue:

Ìý

Jews all over the world have spent the last three weeks thinking about tragedies in our history, reflecting on loss and how to make the world a better place.Ìý This sad time came to an end yesterday, with a tough, full-day fast that marks the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem long ago.

Ìý

It’s a depressing, difficult period, but it’s over, at least for this year.Ìý Of course, every religion has its sad moments, but I’m in awe of what happens next: Tu B’Av, which is in just a couple of days.Ìý In ancient times, women would dress in white and gather to dance in the vineyards, hoping to attract a husband.Ìý Now there aren’t a lot of vineyards where I live in north-west London and anyone found dancing around dressed in white might be taken in for questioning.Ìý In Israel today, it’s a popular day for weddings, a moment to think of love and romance.

Ìý

But in this quaint practice lies a message of hope and equality.

Ìý

Apparently, the women would borrow clothes from each other to ensure that those from poorer backgrounds could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their wealthier friends.Ìý And as they danced in the vineyards, they would remind potential suitors to look beyond superficial appearances and to value good character as the basis for a happy relationship.Ìý It’s a heart-warming story that gave everyone, rich or poor, conventionally attractive or otherwise, an equal chance to meet a loving life partner.

Ìý

And surprisingly, Tu B’Av – dancing in the vineyards day – sits with Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement – the holiest day of the year, as the happiest in the calendar.Ìý It’s hard to describe the atmosphere at the end of Yom Kippur; a mixture of euphoria, relief and certainty in divine favour.Ìý It’s a truly ecstatic time, but it’s not obvious why Tu B’Av is up there too.

Ìý

I suspect the answer lies in how we deal with tragedy.Ìý We mourn the past, and reflect on our failings, as we did yesterday. But then we look forward with conviction and commit ourselves to building a better world.Ìý We invest in love, dance and hope – confident that whatever has happened in the past, the future will be bright.Ìý So dance in the vineyards, plan the next generation and celebrate the wonder of simply being alive.

Ìý