The Mystical Month To Come

2) CALENDAR REMINDERS

1 Menachem Av (July 9-10) -- Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. Shabbat Mattot-Massei, Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13
Haftorah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2 (2nd haftorah of affliction) and Isaiah 66:1,23-24 (Rosh Chodesh.
Yahrzeit of Aharon, the first High Priest. The beginning of strict mourning for the destruction of the two Temples.

5 Menachem Av (July 14) -- The yahrzeit of the ARI HaKadosh, (Rabbi Yitschak Luria, 1534-1572) among the greatest Kabbalists of all time, leader of the Kabbalists of Tsfat after the death of Rabbi Moshe Cordevero.

8 Menachem Av (July 16-17) -- Shabbat Devarim, called Shabbat Chazon, (Vision) after the first word of the Haftorah, which deals with the destruction of the Temple and the resulting exile. Torah Reading: Deut. 1:1-3:22; Haftorah Isaiah 1:1-27 (third Haftorah of affliction).
The Third Meal must be concluded before sunset. No Pirkei Avot are said this Shabbat since from midday the only Torah that may be studied are those sections of Torah that are permitted to be studied on the 9th of Av. Washing, eating and drinking are allowed until till sunset.

9 Menachem Av (July 17-18) - Fast day of the 9th of Av. Eating and drinking is forbidden from sunset on Shabbat until Sunday night. All the laws of mourning observed during "The three weeks" come to an end only at noon of the 10th of Av (Monday).

15 Menachem Av (July 27-28) -- Shabbat VaEthChanan, Shabbat Nachamu: the first of the seven Shabbatot of Consolation after the destruction, with prophecies of the future when "G-d's glory will be revealed." Torah Reading: Deut 3:23-7:11; Haftorah Isaiah 40:1-26
A day of great rejoicing, of which the Sages say: "There were no greater festivals among Jews than the 15th of Av"; "Matchmaking Day". On this date the not-yet married women would dress in white and dance in the orchards.

22 Menachem Av (July 30-31) -- Shabbat Ekev, Torah Reading: Deut. 7:12-11:25; Haftorah Isaiah 49:14-51:3.

29 Menachem Av (Aug. 6-7) -Shabbat Re'eh, Shabbat Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul. Shabbat Mevarchim (Blessing of the New Month)
Torah Reading: Deut.11:26-16:17; Haftorah Samuel I 20:18-42

HAVE A JOYFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE MONTH OF MENACHEM AV!!