Today’s daf TB Taanit 19 begins the third chapter of our massekhet. Up to now we’ve learned the measured three steps a community takes when rain fails to fall. If rain hasn’t fallen by the 17th of Heshvan, the first round of three fast on Monday, Thursday, Monday takes place. If rain still hasn’t fallen the second round of three fast on Monday, Thursday, and Monday begins. If rain still hasn’t fallen a third round of seven fast, Monday, Thursday, Monday, Monday, Thursday, Monday, and Monday takes place. The intensity of the fast increase by who fasts and how long the fast is. By the third round we learned that we add an extra six blessings to the Amidah. Only by the third round does the entire Jewish community effected push the panic button by intensifying their fasts.
Chapter
3 front loads all the mishnayot just
like chapter 2. The mishnayot lists
of calamities when we hit the panic button immediately by going directly to the
third round of fasts.
Some
examples of these calamities are: “For the following calamities they
cry out in every place: For blight; for mildew; for locusts; for caterpillars,
a type of locust that comes in large swarms and descends upon a certain place; for
dangerous beasts that have entered a town; and for the sword, i.e.,
legions of an invading army. The reason that they cry out about these
misfortunes in every place is because these are calamities that
spread…
“For the following calamities they
cry out even on Shabbat: For a city that is surrounded by gentile
troops, or for a place in danger of being flooded by a river that
has swelled its banks, or for a ship tossed about at sea. Rabbi Yosei
said: One may cry out on Shabbat to summon help, but it may not
be sounded for crying out to God. Shimon the Timnite says:
One may cry out on Shabbat even for pestilence, but the Rabbis did not agree
with him.” (Sefaria.org translation)
The
Gemara goes on and defines what is considered a drought. In essence, the
definition of a drought is when food is not readily available whether people
have money or not
“The mishna further taught: And
likewise, if rain ceased for a period of forty days between one
rainfall and another, they cry out about this, because it is a plague of
drought. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: A plague
of drought? Isn’t this simply a drought? Rav Yehuda said that Rav
said: The mishna means that a period of forty days between one rainfall and
the next is a plague that may cause a drought. In this regard, Rav
Naḥman said: When crops do not grow in one place due to lack of rain and
must be imported by means of one river to another river, this is
considered a drought. If produce must be brought from one province
to another province, this is considered a famine. And Rabbi
Ḥanina said: If a se’a of grain is sold for a sela,
but it is available, this is considered a drought. Although
prices have risen, there is still grain for those who can afford it. However,
if four se’a of grain is sold for a sela, and it is
not available, this is considered a famine.” (Sefaria.org translation)
Concluding with a positive
happy note is always a good way to end especially when you have to write about
calamities. The Mishnah concludes with what happens when you’re in the midst of
a drought and your prayers are answered?
“The mishna relates: An
incident occurred in which the court decreed a fast in Lod
due to a lack of rain, and rain fell for them before midday. Rabbi Tarfon said
to the people: Go out, and eat, and drink, and treat this day as a
Festival. And they went out, and ate, and drank, and treated the day as a
Festival, and in the afternoon they came to the synagogue and
recited the great hallel, to thank God for answering their prayers.”
(Sefaria.org translation )
No comments:
Post a Comment