Today is August 15th. In Jewish calendar terms, it’s also Tu B’Av, the 15th of the month of Av; a happy coincidence this year. This Jewish holiday was once a celebration of the grape harvest but is now lovingly referred to as the Jewish Valentine’s Day. The jury is no doubt split on the issue of whether or not the world really needs a second V-Day, but there it is, smack dab in the middle of the hottest month of the year. It’s a popular day for weddings, but if you’re like most of the Alef staff and not quite ready to take that leap then really it’s just a good excuse for eating chocolate, making out in public, or being extra nice to mom.

To celebrate the occasion, we have decided to try something at the mid-point on the commitment spectrum. What you’re reading is the first in a weekly series of columns on love. We’re going to have a constantly rotating cast of writers so don’t fret, we won’t make you read week after week’s worth of our own pontificating (we’ll spare you as much as we can). To be in our cast of bloggers for the Love Column, email us at alef@birthrightisraelnext.org with “Love Column” in the subject line.

Happy Tu B’Av!

Photo by Dev Null, licensed under Creative Commons.

Valentine’s Day has never been so exciting! I am in the best relationship. My drinks are bought, my doors are opened, and I always have company on a Friday night. I never feel jealous or insecure and I definitely am not worried about being cheated on. My relationship is ideal and I wish everyone could have what I have. The silly thing is, everyone can. It’s not difficult and you don’t have to go to a bar to find that special someone.

All you have to do is stop reading this, get up, walk over to the closest mirror, and take a deep look. Now smile and wave. My relationship is with myself. I have never felt more loved. I am a practicing “self-lover.” I love myself when I make a hearty breakfast, buy myself flowers, and cuddle up on the couch with a glass of wine. I love myself when I give myself a spa day, when I have a long luxurious brunch, or when I go dancing. I constantly think of me. I think of me at the gym, in line at the grocery store, when I see a funny postcard or hear a good joke.

It’s bashert! Bashert is a Yiddish word which means destiny. The Torah states that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Since the word “neighbor” is often translated to mean “spouse” or “significant other,” I have firmly decided that before I love another, I am going to follow the latter part of this commandment to the best of my abilities. I recommend you do the same. It feels amazing to love so freely and unabashedly while carrying out G-d’s work at the same time.