Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said: “there were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kipur.” On this day the daughters of Jerusalem would go out at night dressed in white borrowed clothes and dance in the vineyards. “Young men raise your eyes and see which you select for yourself…”(Talmud,Taanit 26b)
The importance of choosing your Shiduch (husband/wife) shouldn’t come from externalities, this is why they used borrowed clothes. This allowed to look deeper into their personalities and Midots (character traits).
Tu B’Av is a mysterious holiday in which we omit the tachnun prayers (repentance) and we increase in our Torah learning for the nights are long. Apart from that we don’t do much more. So why is it compared to the holiness and joy of Yom Kippur? On Yom Kippur the second set of tablets were given to us and we were forgiven for the sin of the golden calf. On Tu B’Av the tribes were allowed to marry amongst each other.
Tu B’Av is the Festival of the future redemption, who’s essence is a mystery to all.
What is for sure is that everything begins when a Jewish couple gets married and start a home. Through marriage we can achieve the closest connection to H”S and when the couple maintains Shalom Bayit (Peace in the Home) the Shechina (Divine Presence) dwells in their home. For sure there can’t be a greater Joy for H”S than this.
Today is specially auspicious to pray for your or someone else Zivug (partner in life).
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