This past Monday, as the Sturgeon Moon rose high in the sky, Jewish people around the world celebrated the love-focused festival of Tu B’Av.
Taking place a little less than a week after Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning and fasting, Tu B’Av provides an opportunity for lightness, catharsis, and celebrating the love in our lives.
Contemporary observances include anything from singles mixers to donning white clothing and dancing and singing around a fire.
This year, my observance was more subdued. I attended an intimate yoga class called “Release and Breathe,” and release and breathe we did. In tending to my own mind and body, and in feeling held by my teacher and classmate, I was able to hold myself in a space of true self love. I have grown to cherish these opportunities in which I can decenter romantic love, and focus instead on the many other avenues that fill my love cup.
No matter how (or if) you observed this year, Tu B’Av can serve a reminder of the love that exists within, around, and through us. The love that we experience in being around family, or friends, or plants, or paintings. Or perhaps the greatest love of all, the love of the divine. As we so often sing in services, we are loved, loved, loved by an unending love.
