Jesus
fulfilled the meanings of all of the Spring
festivals. It might therefore be important to look
at the next holiday on the Jewish calendar even though the
meaning has been forgotten. Tu B’Av is only noted
now as being like Valentines Day, BUT IT WAS ONCE UPON A
TIME CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS!
Tu B’Av
(the 15th of Av) is explained in the
Midrash. The Midrash is “an ancient genre of Jewish
biblical exegesis and literature that interprets,
elaborates, and fills in narrative gaps within the Hebrew
Bible.” Please be aware that the Midrash was used by
Jesus.
“The
Midrash is a classical Jewish method of interpreting,
expanding, and applying scripture to contemporary life. As
a first-century Jewish rabbi, Jesus used this style of
teaching to uncover new, deeper spiritual meanings, often
using vivid parables, rhetorical questions, and scriptural
echoes to challenge his listeners.”
“In the
Sermon on the Mount (e.g., Matthew 5), Jesus follows a
distinct midrashic pattern: "You have heard that it was
said... but I say to you." He takes foundational Old
Testament commandments and deepens their scope to focus
on inner intentions rather than just outward actions.”
“Many of Jesus’ parables are
midrashic in nature, serving as allegorical or
retellings of historical biblical motifs to explain the
mystery of the Kingdom of God.”
According to the Midrash,
Moses commanded the Jews who wandered in the wilderness
to dig graves and sleep in them one night of the
year. This was because they believed the bad
report of the spies as opposed to Joshua and
Caleb. After the Jews woke up and came up out of
the graves, they discovered that many of the older Jews
had died as they slept.
Each year this pattern
continued until finally only a certain number were
left. It was finally time for Joshua to lead the
Jews into the promised land.
Here’s the pattern.
Rising from the grave ALIVE. Entering the PROMISED
LAND.
That’s not all!
After the Jews settled in the
promised land they commemorated Tu B’Av by letting the
Jewish VIRGINS DANCE IN THE VINEYARDS TO ATTRACT A
HUSBAND.
I have left out some details,
but have hit the highpoints. This year Tu B’Av is
Wednesday July 29. That’s not to say it might be
next year on August 18th.
Either way it is near.
YBIC
Bruce Baber