Moon over the vineyards

Last Friday I watched from my street how the full moon rose over our neighbors on top of the mountain. Those lights are an army base located in Moshav Ora. The moshav has grown since it was founded by new immigrants from Yemen in 1950. There must be a thousand inhabitants up there today.
The full moon signaled the beginning of Tu B'Av, the 15th day of the month of Av on our lunar calendar. Originally a post-biblical day of joy, it served as a matchmaking day for unmarried women in the second Temple period. The Mishnah says Tu B'Av was a very happy day for the people of Israel because "the daughters of Jerusalem go out dressed in white and dance in the vineyards. What were they saying: Young man, consider whom you choose (to be your wife)."

After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. this minor festival went almost unnoticed for many centuries. But in the past few decades the non-religious in the State of Israel have brought Tu B'Av back to life as a time to celebrate love and enjoy music festivals. It is even becoming something like the Valentine's Day known to other countries, gifts and all.
Sorry, I have no picture of dancing virgins in white dresses. But here at least is a vineyard for you.
(The Jerusalem Hills have some good winemakers, e.g. Domaine du Castel.)

A blogger favorite--Sky Watch Friday--starts tonight at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Feast your eyes on their skies.