AB, in the Hebrew chronology, holds a significant place as the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth of the ecclesiastical year, which commenced with the month of Nisan. This period corresponds roughly to the modern months of July and August, comprising thirty days.
Significance of the First Day of AB
The first day of the month of AB is observed by the Jewish community as a day of fasting in memory of Aaron’s death. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first High Priest of the Israelites, and his passing is a solemn occasion in Jewish history.
The Ninth Day of AB: A Day of Mourning
The ninth day of AB is particularly noteworthy as a day of deep mourning for the Jewish people. This date commemorates the destruction of the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, this tragic event coincidentally occurred on the same day that the Second Temple was later destroyed by the Roman general Titus in 70 CE.
Adding to the sorrow associated with this date, the Roman Emperor Hadrian issued an edict on the same day that forbade the Jews from residing in Judea or even looking toward Jerusalem to mourn its destruction. This day has thus become a powerful symbol of Jewish suffering and resilience throughout history.
The Eighteenth Day: Extinguishing of the Sacred Lamp
The eighteenth day of AB is also observed as a fast due to the extinguishing of the sacred lamp in the reign of King Ahaz. The sacred lamp, or menorah, was a vital symbol in the Temple, and its extinguishment marked a dark period in Jewish religious life.
The Twenty-First or Twenty-Second Day: The Feast of Xylophoria
On the twenty-first, or according to some sources, the twenty-second day of AB, a feast known as Xylophoria was celebrated. This feast involved the gathering and storing of the necessary wood for the Temple, ensuring that the sacred fires could be maintained throughout the year.
The Twenty-Fourth Day: Commemoration of Legal Reform
Finally, the twenty-fourth day of AB is marked by a feast celebrating the abolition of a law by the Asmoneans, or Maccabees. This law, introduced by the Sadducees, had mandated that both sons and daughters should equally inherit their parents’ estate. The abolition of this law was seen as a significant victory for the Jewish people, reaffirming traditional practices and values.
AB, therefore, is a month rich in historical and religious significance for the Jewish people, with days marked by both fasting and feasting, reflecting the deep and complex heritage of the Jewish faith.