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Israel doesn't have a Valentines day. Turns out St. Valentine was not a big fan of Jews. But we do have a holiday called Tu B'Av—it means the 15th day of Hebrew month of Av.
On Tu B'Av couples traditionally take a stroll and enjoy the full moon.
Women tend to dress in white. Tu B'Av is also considered a good day for weddings.
But it's not a Hallmark Jewish holiday, and that's good because sometimes we forgot how mysterious and awe-inspiring love is.
Love is not just something on a card. Love is not just something we draw with a heart.
Love brings out the noblest parts within us.
Do you remember Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner?
In 2005 she stepped down from the Court to send more time with her husband who suffered severe dementia.
He lived in a nursing home. At the home he fell in love with another woman who suffered from Alzheimers Disease. Justice O'Conner visited the couple often.
She admitted to being thrilled at sitting with them while they held hands together on the porch swing – because, she said, it was a relief for her to see her husband of 55 years so content, after having lost so much to dementia...
Psychologist Mary Piper in reflecting on Justice O'Connor's selfless regard for her husband, observed that "young love is all about wanting to be happy; old love is about wanting someone else to be happy."
I would also add: The older we get, the more mysterious and powerful love becomes.
If you desire more stories about the mysterious power of love, of prayer, of friendship, you can be one of the first to get your hands on my new book:
Shalom for the Heart: 50 Torah-Inspired Devotions for a Sacred Life.
Rabbi Evan Moffic
evan@rabbi.me
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Evan Moffic
Congregation Solel
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035, United States
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