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Week 43 - Friday - 22 September 2000

TA'ANIT: CHAPTER 3: MISHNAH 2

If they fell for the plants, but they did not fall for the tree, for the tree and not for the plants, for this and for this but not for the pits, for the cavities, and for the caves - they blow for them immediately.

Kehati

If they - the rains, fell for the plants - a small quantity of gentle rain fell, beneficial for plants, but they did not fall for the tree - these rains do not benefit trees, because they do not penetrate sufficiently into the earth; or rains fell in great quantities, which is beneficial for the tree and - but is - not beneficial for the plants; rains fell which benefit this - plants, and for this - trees,

But not for the pits, for the cavities, and for the caves - the quantity of rain is not sufficient to fill the pits designed to collect drinking water, they fast and

Blow on shofarot for them immediately - as was explained in the preceding mishnah.

TA'ANIT:CHAPTER 3: MISHNAH 3

And similarly, a city upon which rains did not fall, as it is written, "And I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city, one piece was rained upon…" (Amos 4:7), that city fasts and blows; and all its surroundings fast and they do not blow. Rabbi Akiva says, They blow and they do not fast.

Kehati

And similarly, a city upon which rains did not fall - but fell upon its surroundings, proving that this is a decree by the Holy One, blessed be He, and not the result of natural causes (Rabbeinu Nissim), as it is written, "And I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city, one piece was rained upon, and the piece upon which it rained did not wither,"

That city fasts and blows - on shofarot, immediately; and all its surroundings fast - to share in the suffering of the neighboring city (Hameiri). According to another interpretation, they fast because this city will come to buy grain in the neighboring cities, thereby causing a shortage of food. (Rashi; Bartenura), and - but - they do not blow.

Rabbi Akiva says, They pray and blow on the shofarot, in order to arouse God's mercy, and they do not fast - as is the practice on Rosh Hashanah, that they blow on the shofar but do not fast.

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