For some reason, I have always been able to remember jokes. As a result I seem to know a joke for pretty much every occasion. Here’s one for today:
It’s the first day on the job for the matchmaker’s apprentice and he’s getting ready for his first meeting. The matchmaker advises him in advance, “You don’t have to talk much. Whatever I say, just back me up.”
In walk the parents of the potential groom, and the matchmaker begins his pitch.
“Have I got a girl for your son,” he starts. “She’s a pretty girl, with enchanting blue eyes.”
The apprentice nods and contributes, “Yes, she is the most beautiful girl in the village!”
The matchmaker smiles approvingly and continues, “And she comes with a very good dowry.”
The apprentice, feeling more confident,adds, “A dowry?! Why, her father is related to the Rothschilds!”
A pause, and then the matchmaker, “The girl is smart, too. Your son will be able to have conversations with her.”
“Conversations?!” says the apprentice, “She can talk Talmud and Torah with him, she’s so smart!”
The father looks a bit suspicious and says, “She sounds almost too good to be true. Surely she must have some flaws.”
“Well,” answers the matchmaker. “To be honest, she does have a tiny wart on her shoulder.”
“A wart?!” chimes in the apprentice. “It’s a regular hump!”
While matchmakers are once again in vogue, there are many ways to find a life partner. Along the way, there’s the excitement of waiting for someone special, the butterflies before a first date, the feeling that anything is possible. Even years later, those memories can still make us smile. They remind us that hope is never far away.
That is the spirit of Tu b’Av, the Jewish holiday of love happening today, celebrating romance, renewal, and the promise of tomorrow. Historically, this was the day when the maidens in Jerusalem dressed in white and danced by the water or in the vineyards, where young men and women met with open hearts and hopeful dreams. It’s a lovely reminder that even after disappointment, life invites us to begin again.
In today’s stressful climate, this message feels especially meaningful.
Everyone I know seems to be carrying a heaviness we never expected. The hateful lies about Jews, the blood libels unfurling from city to city. It is incredibly painful to watch falsehoods and accusations spread so easily, and to feel the weight of rising antisemitism.
But Tu b’Av reminds us not to let hatred steal our joy.
Judaism has always answered darkness with light, fear with faith, and division with love. Love for our families, our friends, our communities, and our heritage. Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) beautifully declares, “Mayim rabbim lo yuchlu lechabot et ha’ahavah” which means “Many waters can not extinguish love.” True love endures. It can not be washed away by cruelty or hate. Our greatest response to those who spread lies is to refuse to surrender our happiness. We continue to celebrate, to build, to sing, to fall in love, and to live proudly as Jews.
Today, on this Tu b’Av, may we remember what it feels like to hope. Because love has always been stronger than hate, and hope has always been – and always will be – the Jewish way.
Happy Tu b’Av!
On this day, if you are single, I wish you success in finding your beloved. If you are seriously looking, contact aliza@songshul.com to hear about The Song Shul’s Match Me program.