Moed Katan 2: A Spectrum of Holiday

An introduction to the new tractate, and its focus on Chol HaMoed. Also, the first mishnah, with a discussion of irrigating a field over Chol HaMoed, and also during a shemitah year, and what is permissible and what is not. Specifically, via natural springs, and not via collected rain water or a deep well. The Gemara focuses on the distinctions drawn in the mishnah, with the implication of how labor intensive is the effort going to be to be permitted on Chol HaMoed. Plus, the parallel to the melakhot of Shabbat, and the handling of kilayim there... And now here. All of which serves to establish this "middle ground" of neither a regular weekday, nor a full holiday or Shabbat.