It’s a little embarrassing to have the most broken-down home on the block, or to drive the most outdated and dented car. It can also feel awkward to be wearing simple clothing in a room full of people dressed in brand names and designer clothing.

But what if there was a way that no one would know whether the clothing you were wearing was yours—or whether you were wearing your friend’s worn-out clothing to give her the chance to outshine you?

The Talmud tells us that “there were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur.” What was so joyful about the 15th of Av? Many years ago, on that day, “the daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the vineyards,” and “whoever did not have a wife would go there” to find himself a bride.

Here was the catch: The girls danced in flowy white gowns—but not their own. Each girl wore another girl’s gown, so no one would know who had the prettiest gown in town. Thus, the 15th of Av celebrates not only the love of marriage, but the love that the Jewish girls had for each other, ensuring that no one would be embarrassed by how shabby or simple her gown was in comparison to another gown.

And in a show of even greater unity, the girls danced in one circle.

Thoughtstream: Today, I will look for a way to help someone avoid embarrassment.

(Adapted from Torat Menachem 5747, vol. 4, p. 194; Torat Menachem 5742, vol. 4, p. 1995.)