A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... There are different customs as to the name of the month; this is a popular and meaningful one. We call the month Menachem Av when we announce it with Rosh Chodesh Benching. We refer to it as Av for its first 10 days. After noon on the 10th, we call the month Menachem Av. This accompanies the comfort that takes over for the mourning of the first third of the month. We begin to feel it with NACHEIM at Mincha of Tish'a b'Av itself. We feel it on Shabbat Nachamu. We feel it on TU b'AV and with the haftarot that follow Tish'a b'Av until Rosh HaShana. Mourning without Nechama is potentially destructive and devastating. With an eye to the fulfillment of the prophecies of Zecharya, it is constructive and hopeful. [The
Parshat D'varim Homepage]
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