ראש חודש אב
Rosh Chodesh Av
Rosh Chodesh Av begins the month containing Tisha B'Av. The Nine Days of intensified mourning start on the 1st of Av.
When is Rosh Chodesh Av 2026?
Observed on
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Rosh Chodesh Av falls in July or August.
Significance
Av is the month of both great sorrow (Tisha B'Av) and future consolation. Tu B'Av is one of the most joyous days of the year.
Rosh Chodesh Av Prayers
View the complete collection of prayers and blessings for Rosh Chodesh Av in Hebrew and English.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosh Chodesh Av
Av is the most somber month of the Jewish year, containing Tisha B'Av (the 9th), when both Temples were destroyed. The first nine days of Av (the 'Nine Days') carry heightened mourning restrictions: no meat or wine (except on Shabbat), no swimming for pleasure, no laundering clothes, and no weddings. However, after Tisha B'Av, the mood lifts, culminating in the joyful Tu B'Av on the 15th.
Standard Rosh Chodesh prayers are recited: half Hallel, Ya'aleh V'Yavo, the Torah reading, and Musaf. Since Rosh Chodesh Av marks the beginning of the Nine Days, mourning restrictions intensify from this day. Despite this, Rosh Chodesh retains its festive character, and meat and wine are permitted at a Rosh Chodesh meal.
About Rosh Chodesh Av
Rosh Chodesh Av (ראש חודש אב) is one of the important holidays in the Jewish calendar. This page provides the dates for Rosh Chodesh Av 2026 and information about its meaning and observance.
Looking for prayers? Am Hazak provides the complete text for Rosh Chodesh Av prayers in Hebrew with English translations. Visit our Rosh Chodesh Av prayers page for blessings and liturgy.