Av (month)

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Av
Francesco Hayez, The Second Temple in flames, 1867. The 9th of Av, Tisha B'Av, is a fast commemorating what has been called the saddest day in Jewish history,[1] which is when the Holy Temple was set aflame.
Native name	אָב‎ (Hebrew)
Calendar	Hebrew calendar
Month number	5
Number of days	30
Season	Summer (Northern Hemisphere)
Gregorian equivalent	July–August
Significant days	Tisha B'Av Tu B'Av
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Av (also Menachem Av,^[2] Hebrew: אָב, Modern: ʾAv, Tiberian: ʾĀḇ) is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar.^[3] It is a month of 30 days, and usually occurs in July–August on the Gregorian calendar.

The Babylonian Talmud states that "when we enter [the month of] Av, our joy is diminished".^[4] This is because the darkest events in Jewish history occurred during the first week and a half of this month, particularly the Nine Days which culminate in Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of Av. However, the month also contains a holiday called Tu B'Av which was, in ancient times, considered one of the happiest days of the year.