Today's daf Taanit 14 limits the number of fast during a drought to 13. "it is taught in a baraita: One does not decree more than thirteen fasts on the community, as one does not trouble the community excessively. This is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: This halakha is not for that reason. Rather, it is due to the fact that after thirteen fasts the time of the rainfall has already passed, and there is no reason to fast for rain after the rainy season has ended. " (Sefaria.org translation)
Because our prayers have not been answered by God, we feel like mourners. Some of the same customs that a mourner observes now the community observes. Joy is reduced.
"§ The mishna taught: If these fasts have passed and they have not been answered, they decrease their engagement in business negotiations and in building and planting. It was taught in the Tosefta (Megilla 5:2): Building means joyful building, not building in general. Likewise, planting means joyful planting, not all planting. The Tosefta elaborates: What is joyful building? This is referring to one who builds a wedding chamber for his son. It was customary upon the marriage of a son to build him a small house where the marriage feast was held and where the newlywed couple would live for a certain period of time. What is joyful planting? This is referring to one who plants a splendid, royal garden that does not serve practical purposes, but is only for ornamentation.
"§ And the mishna further taught that they decrease greetings between one another. The Sages taught: Ḥaverim, members of a group dedicated to the precise observance of mitzvot, do not extend greetings between each other at all. Amei ha’aretz, common, uneducated people, who extend greetings to ḥaverim, do so while unaware that this is inappropriate. The ḥaverim answer them in an undertone and in a solemn manner. And ḥaverim wrap themselves and sit as mourners and as ostracized ones, like people who have been rebuked by God, until they are shown mercy from Heaven. " (Sefaria.org translation)
According to the SHukhan Aukh, the community stops fasting after completing the series of 13 fasts, but the rabbis continued to fast Mondays, Thursdays, Mondays until the month of Nisan. Once Nisan arrives the rainy season ends so no amount of prayers will be effective. Besides that, rain in Nisan is considered a curse and not a blessing. The rabbis may break their fast at night as well as doing work. Rosh Hodesh, Hanukkah, and Purim interrupt these fasts for them. (Orekh Hayim, 575:7)
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