Dancing Daughters of Jerusalem, Tu B’ Av
On Monday, July 26 (Av 15), the joyous occasion of Tu B’ Av will be observed on the Jewish calendar. Considered in Judaism to be but, a minor festival, (in the sense that it is not one of the seven major festival days commanded by God in Leviticus 23), it is never the less important, for it was on this date, and this date only, that the twelve tribes of Israel were allowed to inter-marry.
In modern-day Israel, Tu B’ Av has become similar to what we in the Western world call Valentine’s Day. A symbol of love, courtship and marriage. But, in ancient times, women of Israel would dress in white on this one of a kind day and go out into the vineyards to dance. There they would be selected by one of the many eligible men from the various tribes who were looking for a wife. It isn’t hard for us as believers to look at this festival and find a New Testament application as we are told in the scripture that Yeshua himself will choose for himself a bride clothed in white and catch her away on another one-of-a- kind day, the rapture.
For those of you who may not be familiar with Tu B’Av or would like more information about it, I encourage you to check out one of the many informative articles which have been posted on Five Doves Forum in the last few days. Or, you can check out this article from Wikipedia for a short and concise definition – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_B’Av
On a little bit different note, I received an e-mail from reader Michael Wellman today, which I thought was of interest and may tie in. According to an article in the Canada Free Press, Monday July 26th (and the days surrounding it) could be prime candidates for the start of the Iran/Israel conflict. According to writer Jim O’Neill, the birthday of the 12th Imam will be observed on this date, which in his opinion could make it a likely time for the start of the long brewing Middle East war. Interesting when you consider July 26th Tu B’ Av, is a prime candidate for another highly anticipated event – the rapture. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/25609
Thank you Michael for passing this article on to me. May the next few days be one of watchful prayer and expectation for all of us who await our beloved bridegroom.
“My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my lover’s and my lover is mine, he browes among the lilies.”
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6 Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
Cindy,
I as well have been following all the articles and research of Tu B’ Av that has showed up on FiveDoves—– and with great anticipation I might add. When everything about the feast is taken into context it builds a very strong case for the Rapture happening on or around Tu B’ Av.
Your condensed description of the feast on your post was very well stated. If I may I would like to add yet another place in God’s holy scripture that I believe describes this feast and Rapture event which may well happen soon.
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
The voice of my beloved!
Behold he comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Behold he stands behind our wall;
He is looking through the windows,
Gazing through the lattice.
My beloved spoke, and said to me:
“Rise up,my love, my fair one,
And come away.
For lo, winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts worth her green figs,
And the vines with the tender grapes
Give a good smell.
Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away!
In these verses God describes the time and season that He comes after His bride / church. It appears to me that this time and description mirrors the feast and description of Tu B’ Av.
Also notice in the verses how He twice calls for “rising up” and “coming away”. The bible says that the dead in Christ will rise first then those who are alive will rise to meet Him in the clouds. So, I believe the reason for the double command to “rise and come away”.
I guess we’ll be sitting on the edge of our seats again this weekend with glorious expectation.
In Christ—John B
By: John B on July 23, 2010
at 3:50 pm
Hi John, Thanks for writing and sharing these additional scriptures. The Song of Solomon is a beautiful and compelling book with many strong hints of the rapture. Just a few more days and we’ll know. What ever the case, our bride groom loves us and he is coming soon! Waiting with you in glorious expectation! Cindy
By: cindybythesea on July 23, 2010
at 5:00 pm
Hi Cindy,
On Tu B’Av, July 26th, Hebrew for Christians has my favorite educational site…
http://www.hebrew4christians.net/Holidays/Summer_Holidays/Tu_B_Av/tu_b_av.html
Current events – I forgot to add this one…
July-27 North Korea – Victory Day
This day commemorate the signing of an armistice in 1953 that officially ended open hostilities between North Korea, supported by the USSR as well as China, and South Korea, backed by the United Nations and the United States of America. On this public day, North Korean officials and citizens lay flowers and wreaths at military monuments and cemeteries. In Pyongyang, the country’s capital, celebrations often feature military parades, dance and youth performances.
Time to pray for Christains all over the world in these flashpoints during this present trouble. In hopefull expectation of their deliverance.
Thank you again for such a great site!
Mike
By: Mike on July 23, 2010
at 5:03 pm
Beautiful post Cindy,
Just a thought here though,
There is a study on the Hebrew calendar that indicates Biblically the current tradition may be incorrect. The idea is the ancient Jews used the first sliver of a new moon verified by two witnesses as the first day of the Month. This method would place the 15th of Av on the night of the 27th through the night of the 28th of July 2010
Now I am not saying it is or it isn’t. You can be in error about the Jewish calendar and still be saved. Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of God, you can know all about the ancient Hebrew calendar, and it will not help you one bit.
Trust in Jesus Christ. He will never let you down. But the calendar just might.
Mike
By: christian2018 on July 26, 2010
at 7:22 pm
Cindy,
Just linked to your site from another. What a beautiful site you have! I’m going to bookmark it and study more from it. I hadn’t known about Tu B’ Av before. I’ve been extra watchful around the Feast of Shavaot and Yom Teruah, but your post has me excited and Ill be watching, too, over the next few days and praying Yeshua comes for us. The follow up comment by John adds even more strength to the reasons to watch. Thank you!
Tamara
By: Tamara on July 23, 2010
at 10:19 pm
Cindy I love this post!!!!!!!! Lillies have a special significance to me with the Lord and my heart and tears came to my eyes as I read your post. I could actually visualize Him carrying us away with Him. God bless you as we wait and watch with you and get ready to meet Him in the air!!!!!
By: Linda Adcock on July 24, 2010
at 3:27 pm
Beautiful. Thanks for this. A spot of Light in the Darkness as We await Him.
By: novusanima on July 25, 2010
at 11:16 pm