(Mishnah - R. Shimon ben Gamliel): There were not Yomim Tovim for Yisrael like the 15th of Av and Yom Kipur. On them, Benos Yerushalayim go out in borrowed white clothing, not to embarrass one who does not have [her own]. All garments must be immersed.

Bnos Yerushalayim go out and dance in vineyards. What do they say? Bachelor - lift your eyes and see what you choose for yourself! Do not put your eyes on beauty - put your eyes on family (lineage)!

Note: MICHTAV ME'ELIYAHU (4, p.180) proves from the Targum of Eichah 1:4 that this was also on Yom Kipur, unlike Tiferes Yisrael. Due to the Simchah of pardon of sin, they could make Shiduchim l'Shem Shamayim. R TZADOK KOHEN (Resisei Laylah 54) - on Yom Kipur they were like angels, for the Satan cannot prosecute, so it was not lewdness.

Source: It says "Tze'enah u'Re'enah Bnos Tziyon b'Melech Shlomo... b'Yom Chasunaso'' - this is Matan Torah. "Uv'Yom Simchas Libo'' - this is the building of the Beis ha'Mikdash, may it be rebuilt quickly in our days!

(Gemara) Question: Granted, Yom Kipur [was one of the happiest days], for it is Kaparah for Yisrael. Why was the 15th of Av [a happy day]?

Answer #1 (R. Yakov bar Acha citing R. Yosa): [Until] that time is good for wood. All wood that is cut [before] then does not get wormy. (They finished cutting wood for the Mizbe'ach then.)

This is like a Mishnah teaches there, any wood in which a worm is found is Pasul for the Mizbe'ach.

Answer #2 (R. Chiya bar Asi citing Rav): On that day Hoshe'a ben Elah removed the guards Yarav'am ben Nevat set up on the roads [to prevent people from ascending to Yerushalayim for the festivals].

Question (Kahana, to Rav): [Hoshe'a] did such a great deed, and it says about him "Alav Alah Shalmenasar Melech Ashur'' (he was exiled)?!

Answer (Rav): He removed the noose from his neck and hung it on the Rabim. He did not say "everyone go up'', rather, one who wants to, ascends.

Answer #3 (R. Shmuel bar Rav Yitzchak, and some say in the name of R. Shmuel bar Nachman): That day the Shevatim were permitted to intermarry;

It says "Lo Sisov Nachalah li'Vnei Yisrael mi'Mateh El Mateh Ki Ish b' Nachalas Mateh Avosav Yidbeku Bnei Yisrael'', and it says "v'Chol Bas Yoreshes Nachalah mi'Matos Bnei Yisrael...'';

Is it possible for a daughter to inherit [in] two tribes? We must say that his father is from one Shevet, and her mother from another Shevet (surely, this is permitted)!

Answer #4 (Rabanan): That day Shevet Binyamin was permitted to marry into Klal Yisrael - "Arur Nosen Ishah l'Vinyamin'';

They [had] read a verse and distanced [Binyamin. Now], they read a verse and brought them close.

They read a verse and distanced them - "Efrayim u'Menasheh ki'Reuven v'Shimon Yihyu Li'' (Yakov saw that one Shevet will be wiped out, so Efrayim and Menasheh will be like two, to compensate). They read a verse and brought them close - "Goy u'Kehal Goyim Mimecha u'Melachim me'Chalatzecha Yetze'u'', and Binyamin was not born yet. (Three more Shevatim will be added, i.e. Efrayim and Menasheh are like two even when also Binyamin is counted. They are not to replace the loss of Binyamin.)

Answer #5 (R. Avun): That day, the digging was Batel;

(R. Levi): Every Erev Tish'ah b'Av, Moshe announced in the Machaneh "go dig! Go dig!'' They went out and dug graves and slept [in them]. In the morning they stood and found 15,000 and a remainder missing (dead).

In the last year [in the Midbar] they did so, and found themselves complete (no one died). They said, perhaps we erred about the calculation (which day of the month it is). Similarly on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th (they did so, and no one died). On the 15th, since the moon was full, they said "it seems that ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu annulled that harsh decree from us!'' They went and made it a Yom Tov.

(Mishnah): All garments must be immersed. Bnos Yerushalayim go out and dance in vineyards.

(R. Yanai bei R. Yishmael): Even if they are put in a box (no one wears them, the garments must be immersed).

Question: They are put in a box, and you say so?! (Why should they be immersed?)

Answer: Since you say so (they must be immersed, she is not adamant about them, and) lends them. (ME'IRI 31a).

The king's daughter borrows from the Kohen Gadol's daughter. The Kohen Gadol's daughter borrows from the king's daughter.

(Mishnah): What do they say? Bachelor - lift your eyes and see what you choose for yourself! Do not put your eyes on beauty - put your eyes on family...!

Pretty girls said "put your eyes on beauty.'' Girls of good lineage said "put your eyes on family.'' Unattractive girls said "make your acquisition l'Shem Shamayim!''

Source: It says "Tze'enah u'Re'enah Bnos Tziyon b'Melech Shlomo b'Atarah she'Itrah Lo Imo b'Yom Chasunaso'' - this is Matan Torah. "Uv'Yom Simchas Libo'' - this is the building of the Beis ha'Mikdash, may it be rebuilt quickly in our days, Amen!