יום ג Date: 23 Av, 5774 (8/19/14) – MoedKatan#8 {Tani}

Intermingling Occasions

[8b bottom] Mishna: A man is prohibited from marrying a woman on Chol Hamoed because it is a source of joy for him. R’ Yehuda quoting Shmuel and R’ Elazar quoting R’ Oshaya (some say R’ Elazar quoting R’ Chanina): This is not allowed because we do not intermingle one joyous occasion with another joyous one. A person should be completely devoted to the joy of the holiday, and not to minimize it by devoting joy to other events.

T’s Lesson: Koheles: “There is a time for everything: a time to laugh, a time to cry… ” (and  a time to be joyous) among many other things. Each occasion is deserving of one’s complete attention as each Simcha is unique and special. We should try to avoid ‘joint wedding ceremonies’ (unless there is a need for it, or when others cannot afford their own celebrations) and ‘drive-thru concepts’, which sully potentially beautiful events by hurrying and cheapening a holy marriage union. We should always be sure to independently celebrate Simchas and keep each one special in its unique appropriate time.