Because of the strong paradox of negative and positive in the sign of Leo, or Av, there is no more difficult - or greater - opportunity to reveal Light than in this month. The first half of Av is considered to be negative, while the second half is considered to be one of the most positive of all months. This teaches us that within the negative, or darkness, is where we find the positive, or Light. It is a concept and understanding that is present, of course, in our lives always, but is very prevalent in the month of Av.
In fact, the kabbalists say that the healing, assistance, Light, and blessings you can awaken on Tisha B’Av, the 9th of Av, which is the most negative day of the year, cannot be awakened any other time of the year. Because that day has the potential to possess darkness, it must also, therefore, have the potential for the greatest Light. As such, it needs to be in our consciousness throughout this month that we desire to completely transform and reveal the tremendous goodness that is concealed within that day. And every year as we get closer to the End of the Correction, we reveal more of that Light.
There is a beautiful prophecy in the Book of Zechariah, Chapter 8, beginning in verse 19. The Creator says there are four fasts, one of which is the 9th of Av. About these fast days, and especially about the fast day of Tisha B'Av, the Creator says, “I promise you it will become a holiday, and a day of great joy and happiness. This will come true when truth and peace are beloved by enough people.”
The Apta Rebbe also says something beautiful. He says if the sages knew that the Redemption would take so long, they would not have said that we have to fast. They thought it would be 10, 50, or 100 years… but thousands of years? They would not have made us fast for thousands of years. And as this prophecy continues, the Creator is thinking that as well. It's time that these days, the Creator promises us, become the greatest and most joyous of the year.
The end of that prophecy also has to do with the work we have to do. The Creator says, “The entire world will come together and say to each other, ‘Let us all go towards the spiritual work, towards the connection with the Light of the Creator.’ Great nations will come to unite, serve, and connect to the Light of the Creator, and desire and beg for a connection to the Light to the Creator.”
Rav Ashlag calls this the prophecy of the End of Days, saying there will be ten people who will be awakened by every single person who is connected to the wisdom of Kabbalah and the Light of the Zohar. And the ten people will come and say, “Let's attach ourselves to this one person. We want to connect to you, because we heard that the Light of the Creator is with you.”
So, as we head into this month, it is important to understand that it is in the beginning of Av where we will face the most difficulties. And it is also important to remember, first, that often in order to get to the Light, fulfillment, and blessings we desire, we have to go through a difficult process and transformation, and second, that the Creator promises us that the darkest day of the 9th of Av will one day become a day of great joy and happiness.
