When red hearts and pink chocolate boxes pop up in the middle of summer, it can take a moment to remember that you’re not somehow late for February’s dirge of Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Instead, it’s Tu B’Av, the holiday described in the Talmud as one of the two happiest days on the Jewish calendar. Tu B’Av, historically an underrated holiday, has emerged as “Jewish Valentine’s Day.” Throughout Israel, cities host concerts, dance parties, and festive wine tastings to mark the day. And many couples choose Tu B’Av as an auspicious date to get engaged, or share romantic dinners and moonlit walks in honor of the day of love.

This may seem niche, but, at its core, the holiday is one that the Jewish people need now, perhaps more than ever: a day of removing barriers between Jews, and expanding what it means to belong.

The origins of Tu B’Av, celebrated this year on July 29, are documented in the Mishnah:

There were no days as joyous for the Jewish people as the 15th of Av and as Yom Kippur, as on them the daughters of Jerusalem would go out in white clothes, so as not to embarrass one who did not have. … And the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? Young men, please lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself. (Taanit 4)

The idea of Tu B’Av as a time of joy is offered by several commentators: While the Israelites wandered in the desert, female orphans could only marry........

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