The Questions

Project Likkutei Sichos | December 31, 2025

The majority opinion in the Talmud is that the 15th of Av celebrates the cessation of cutting wood for the altar. The mishnah referred to this day as “There were no days as joyous for the Jewish people as the fifteenth of Av...” What exactly is so profoundly joyful about the end of the wood cutting season for it to warrant this classification?
The holiday was also given the name, “the day of the breaking of the scythe.” According to some commentators, this was literal. They actually broke the scythe on this day. What was the purpose of this ritual? Is it not needlessly destructive?

The majority opinion in the Talmud is that the 15th of Av celebrates the cessation of cutting wood for the altar. The mishnah referred to this day as “There were no days as joyous for the Jewish people as the fifteenth of Av...” What exactly is so profoundly joyful about the end of the wood cutting season for it to warrant this classification?
The holiday was also given the name, “the day of the breaking of the scythe.” According to some commentators, this was literal. They actually broke the scythe on this day. What was the purpose of this ritual? Is it not needlessly destructive?

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