Valentine’s Day? Absolutely Not! Barely heard of, and painfully misunderstood when it has been heard of, Tu B’Av is not Cupid drawing back his bow to fire the arrows of romance into the hearts of hopefuls. It has nothing in common with a whole mish-mash of a pagan fertility festival with the martyrdom of three saints (of whom one used to perform clandestine marriages – until he was caught). Nor has it anything to do with American gangsters – Al Capone and Bugs Moran, their rivalry or associated massacres on that day and beyond...

No. Instead, it becomes the happiest day in the calendar, to rival Yom Kippur (which itself need an explanation).

How can it be on par with Yom Kippur and what is so inspiring about the day?

Ah – inspiration – that is the key. A bolt of lightning to illuminate the skies. Lasting barely a moment, if you are looking, it directs you. Now let it direct us…