Know! someone who slips and falls while walking, and as a result people laugh at him and he is embarrassed because of this, this came about because he degraded the joy of yom tov (the festivals). For a festival is called both regel and moed. As a result of his having degraded the joy of yom tov it becomes regel moad (a shaky leg). Therefore, his leg gave way and he fell.

The laugh that people have [at his expense] is the aspect of the fallen joy that comes from degrading the joy of the festivals. Therefore, he is embarrassed. For idol worship is called shame, and someone who degrades the holidays is considered to have worshipped idols (Makkot 23a). He therefore suffers shame.

Sometimes, [the fall] serves as his atonement. At other times, he is not atoned thereby; rather, it serves him as a reminder to repent.