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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for

Ab, Fifteenth Day Of

A Jewish festival in the time of the Second Temple. It fell about the 15th of August. On this day the rich and poor maidens of Jerusalem, robed in white, are said to have repaired to the vineyards to dance with the young men and to give them an opportunity of choosing a bride. The Talmud gives various reasons for celebrating the day. One of them is that on this day wood was collected by priests and people for sacrificial use throughout the year. Josephus mentions (B. J. ii. 17, 6) a Feast of Xylophory (" Wood-bearing "), placing it on the 14th Ab. See the Jewish Encycl., i., 1901.

citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney

article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12

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