The Mishnah in Succah (51a) teaches: מי שלא ראה שמחת בית השואבה לא ראה שמחה בימיו – “One who never saw the simcha [excitement] that took place by the Simchas Beis HaSho’eva, never saw real simcha in all his days.”
The Gemara in Bava Basra (121a) teaches: לא היו ימים טובים לישראל כט"ו באב וכיום הכפורים – “There were no Yomim Tovim in Klal Yisroel greater than Tu B’Av and Yom HaKippurim”.
If the Simchas Beis HaSho’eva was so special, why does the Gemara in Bava Basra only mention Tu Bav and Yom HaKippurim, what about the Simchas Beis HaSho’eva on Succos?
The Ritva (Bava Basra 121a) already asks this question and answers: The simcha in the Beis HaMikdosh was reserved for the Gedolei Yisroel, and the Gedolei Kehunah and Leviyah – it wasn’t for everyone, however, Tu B’Av and Yom HaKippurim were for everyone.
