Siman - Taanis Daf 14
- What is considered מתריעין?
The Mishnah on Daf 12b taught that if there is no rain after the first six fasts of the tzibur, then seven more fasts are decreed. The Mishnah says הרי אלו יתרות על הראשונות שבאלו מתריעין ונועלין את החנויות – These seven fasts are more stringent than the first fasts, in that during these fasts they cry out and lock the stores . The Gemara on our Daf asks במאי מתריעין – With what do they cry out? Rav Yehudah said with shofars. Rashi explains that a tekiah-teruah-tekiah would be blown for each of the six additional berachos which are recited on a fast day, for a total of eighteen blasts. The purpose of the shofar blowing was to humble the people and provoke them to stop sinning. Rav Yehudah brei d’Rav Shmuel bar Sheilas said in the name of Rav: with Aneinu. Rashi clarifies that this reference to Aneinu is not the Aneinu which is recited in the tefillos on all fast days. Rather it is the Aneinu prayer that is recited at the end of selichos. On these seven last fast days, this prayer would be recited out loud. The Gemara clarifies that according to Rav, who said “crying out” refers to Aneinu, כל שכן בשופרות – All the more so it can be done with shofars. According to Rav Yehudah, who holds “crying out” refers to shofars, they do not cry out with Aneinu.
- בנין של שמחה ונטיעה של שמחה
The Mishnah stated that if rain had still not fallen after the seven fasts ממעטין במשא ומתן ובבנין ובנטיעה – they should diminish their involvement in business, construction and in planting trees. It was taught in a Baraisa that construction refers to בנין של שמחה – building of a happy nature, and planting refers to נטיעה של שמחה – planting of a happy nature. What is considered building of a happy nature? זה הבונה בית חתנות לבנו – This refers to one who builds a wedding chamber for his son, which Rashi explains is for the chuppah. A planting of a happy nature refers to –הנוטע אבוורנקי של מלכים – One who plants an Abvarnaki of kings. Rashi explains that when a child was born to a king, they would plant a tree in his honor, and when the prince would eventually be crowned, they would make a throne from this tree. Alternatively, Abvarnaki are large trees that provide shade that would be in the royal garden, where kings liked to stroll.
- Exchanging greetings
The Mishnah on 12b continues, that if no rain fell after the thirteen fasts, that people should not participate in שאילת שלום – exchanging greetings. On our Daf, a Baraisa is brought, that teaches: חברים אין שאילת שלום ביניהן – Chaveirim, (referring to talmidei Chochomim), do not exchange greetings between themselves, עמי הארץ ששואלין – amei ha’aretz who greet the Chaverim, מחזירין להם בשפה ובכובד ראש – The Chaveirim should answer them in a soft voice and in a serious manner. והן מתעטפין ויושבין כאבלים וכמנודין – And the Chaverim wrap themselves up like mourners and like people who are excommunicated כבני אדם הנזופין למקום עד שירחמו עליהם מן השמים – like people who have been rebuked by Hashem, until rachamim is bestowed upon them from shomayim.
