The Mechaber paskens (696:8) that one may hold a wedding on Purim. The Magen Avraham poses the obvious question: One is not permitted to hold a wedding on a Yom Tov because “ain m’arvin simcha b’simcha,” one cannot mix two different celebrations together. Since Purim is also a day of simcha, why are weddings allowed?
There are two distinct elements to simchas ha’yom: 1) the nature of the day itself; 2) the chovas hagavra to perform acts that reflect that simcha. R’ Betzalel Zolti (Mishnas Ya’avetz #79) explains that both of these elements are present on Yom Tov. Simchas Yom Tov is part of the character of the day; the chovas ha’gavra to eat shalmei simcha or read hallel is an expression of that underlying character of the day. Not so the simcha of Purim. Purim is a day of “mishteh v’simcha” – simcha is not a defining quality of the day, but is connected specifically to the chovas hagavra of seudah.
The Rambam writes (Hil Yom Tov 6:18) writes that simchas Yom Tov is observed by giving little children nuts [candy?], buying nice clothers for our wives, etc. Yet, in Hil Purim the Rambam makes no mention of these obligations. He refers only to fulfilling mishteh v’simcha in eating seudas Purim. Why does the simcha of Purim not warrant the same as the simcha of Yom Tov? Because Purim is not a day of simcha -- it is day in which we have a chovas ha'gavra to eat a festive meal characterized by simcha. For this reason the Rambam mentions the obligation to drink wine on Purim only in the context of the seudah, to the exclusions of the rest of the day.
The principle of “ain m’arvin simcha b’simcha” means that one cannot schedule a wedding on a day which is already characterized as one of simcha. Purim is a day where there is a chovas hagavra to have a mishteh, but not one in which simcha in not an inherent quality of the day.
Maybe more on this topic (esp. how it relates to the halachos of aveilus on Purim) in a future post.
How about the chiuv Hallel is that not tuli with the yom itself?
ReplyDelete"The Rambam writes (Hil Yom Tov 6:18) writes that simchas Yom Tov is observed by giving little children nuts [candy?], buying nice clothers for our wives, etc. Yet, in Hil Purim the Rambam makes no mention of these obligations."
ReplyDeleteIt's a different type of simchah. There is no chiyuv to carouse and make merry on Yom Tov, nor is there a chiyuv to send gifts to your friends. Purim is a celebration of happiness. yemei mishteh vesimchah. We do 'being happy'.
there's no ein mearvin simchah be'simchah becuase the focus is not on Purim, it's on being besimchah, so you are not detracting from Purim by making a chasunah. "One of the ways in which we someach on Purim is by having a chasunah."
mah she'ein kein Yom Tov which is chag laShem.
BTW have look at this post
http://revach.net/halacha/tshuvos/Rav-Yisroel-Yaakov-Fisher-A-Ta039anis-Esther-Wedding-amp-Fast/4995
2 types of hallel - one that stems from the kedushas hayom, one that is a zecher l'nes.
ReplyDelete>>>There is no chiyuv to carouse and make merry on Yom Tov
Nor is there a chiyuv to do so on Purim.
>>>the focus is not on Purim,
What do you mean? The reason you are b'simcha on that day is because it is the day of Purim.
Chayav inish lebesume bepuryah ad de'lo yadah!
ReplyDeleteOn Yom Tov we are besimchah becuase that sublimates our feeling for the Yom Tov but the core of the Yom Tov is zecher leyetzias mitzraim.
On Purim we are besimchah becuase it is a yom tov of simchah. Hayom asher nehepach lahem meyagon lesimchah ume'evel leyom tov, this is gufa what we celebrate.
And you can easily say that ad d'lo yada is a function of the kedushas hayom.
ReplyDelete