Simcha reigns supreme. This Parsha is almost always read during the Three Weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, a period of mourning to commemorate the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem and the expulsion from our homeland. This Parsha contains the service for all Festivals. Therefore, said Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech, it is read during the period of mourning so that we do not get swept away by the various mourning rituals practiced during this three-week period. We are reminded that the period of grief will pass, and we will once again rejoice.
Few people are so fortunate as to have a live without episodes of sadness.
Some people react to unpleasant occurrences with depression so severe that it renders them unable to function. This may give rise to a self-reinforcing cycle, and the activity resulting from the depression may become a curse of further depression. The counter to this is to always remember that there is joy in the future. It is told that King Solomon was consulted by a person who had severe mood swings, episodes of unrealistic elation alternating with periods of paralyzing depression. At time of euphoria, this would remind him of the transitory nature of this phase and at times of severe dejection it would remind him that relief was ahead.