1,376. Fasting Until After Nisan

Hilchos Taaniyos 3:9

Only Torah scholars continue fasting Monday, Thursday and Monday until the month of Nisan passes; the community need not do so. No more than 13 communal fasts are called over the lack of rain. When the scholars fast until Nisan passes, they may eat at night and perform acts of labor, as well as wash, anoint, engage in marital relations and wear shoes, as is the case on other fasts. They do not fast on Rosh Chodesh or Purim. After Nisan has passed, which is when the sun enters Taurus, they should stop fasting. As no rain has fallen since the beginning of the year, rain at this time would be the sign of a curse.

Hilchos Taaniyos 3:10

All of the above only applies in Israel and similar lands. In places where the rainy season begins before or after 17 Marcheshvan, if the time for rain has arrived but rain has not fallen, individuals start fasting Monday, Thursday and Monday; they do not fast on Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah or Purim. After this, they wait about seven days. If rain doesn’t descend, the court announces 13 communal fasts as we have described above.