Why Is Tu B’Av Compared to Yom Kippur?

The Sages famously declared, "There were no greater festivals for Israel than the Fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur." This remarkable statement naturally raises several questions. Why is Tu B'Av considered such a joyful day, worthy of celebration through dancing, singing, prayer, and other expressions of happiness? What is so unique about this date, and why is it compared to Yom Kippur? The sacred texts even teach that, like Yom Kippur, Tu B'Av is an appropriate time for introspection and the beginning of the process of repentance. Why was this day given such extraordinary significance? The Talmud records several historic events that help answer these questions.

The End of the Wilderness Decree

The first event takes us back to the generation that wandered in the wilderness after the sin of the spies. Moses had sent twelve men to scout the Land of Israel, but when they returned, they delivered a frightening report. Rather than encouraging the people to trust in God's promise, they focused on the strength of the inhabitants and the apparent impossibility of conquering the land. Their words caused the nation to despair, complain against God, and even demand to return to Egypt.

As a consequence, God decreed that the generation which had left Egypt would die in the wilderness. According to the tradition of the Sages, every year on the eve of Tisha B'Av, those under the decree would lie down in graves they had dug for themselves, and many would not rise the next morning.

So where is the joy?

The answer came forty years later. On the fifteenth of Av, after expecting once again to discover thousands who had perished, the people realized that not a single person had died. They understood that the divine decree had finally ended. God had forgiven them, and they celebrated with overwhelming joy, song, and dancing.

Marriage Restrictions Were Lifted

A second reason for rejoicing on Tu B'Av concerns the laws of inheritance after the Jewish people entered the Land of Israel. Before the case of the daughters of Zelophehad, only sons inherited their father's estate. The daughters courageously petitioned Moses, arguing that they too should inherit their father's portion since they were his descendants. God accepted their claim, establishing that daughters could inherit when there were no sons.

A new concern then arose. If an heiress married a man from another tribe, her inherited land would eventually pass into a different tribal territory. To preserve the tribal inheritance, such women were initially required to marry within their own tribe. Once the land had been divided and permanently settled among the tribes, however, this restriction was lifted, allowing women to marry whomever they chose, regardless of tribal affiliation. This change brought great joy to the nation.

Another significant event was connected to the tragic episode of the Concubine of Gibeah. Following the horrific crime committed by members of the tribe of Benjamin, the other tribes swore not to allow their daughters to marry Benjaminite men. As time passed, however, it became clear that this oath threatened the survival of an entire tribe. On Tu B'Av, the restriction was lifted, saving the tribe of Benjamin from extinction.

The Road to Jerusalem Was Reopened

For many years, King Jeroboam son of Nebat erected barriers on the roads leading to Jerusalem, preventing the people of the Northern Kingdom from making the pilgrimage to the Holy Temple. His goal was to weaken their connection to Jerusalem and strengthen his own rule. It was King Hoshea son of Elah who finally removed those barriers on Tu B'Av, once again allowing the people to travel freely to the Temple and draw closer to God.

These are only a few of the joyous events associated with Tu B'Av, yet together they reveal why the day is held in such high regard. So significant is its spiritual character that, according to longstanding custom, many people begin writing the greeting "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year" in letters written from Tu B'Av onward, echoing the blessing traditionally exchanged during the season leading to Yom Kippur.