Here's another way to look at it that might put AJD's and others' minds at ease. (Going by guided's wisdom--which I'm inclined to do--this isn't technically correct, but in my opinion equivalent.)
The
default rule for a reaction or reaction-like effect is that (1) an event or state triggers it, (2) the reaction is revealed if necessary and resolved, (3) and then the game continues. There's no need to think about "time".
Now there are two (well really one-and-a-half) exceptions thus far, both of them being cards that are revealed from, and remain in, the hand in reaction to an attack. So Secret Chamber and Moat (uselessly, except that it can follow after another reaction to the same event) are actually the
exceptions to the rule.
(FWIW, Trader is not an exception, and doesn't "freeze time"; it just can continue to react to its own effect each time it resolves, literally as the card text allows, ad nauseum.)Now this is obviously confusing since those were the first two reactions printed in Dominion. But I just think that when you tell yourself that they are the
only exception (so far), then you won't get hung up on the reaction mechanic anymore. I hope that helps even just a couple of people. If not, oh well.