Taanit

If one interdicts himself by a vow [from the enjoyment of anything] until the rainy season or until rain has fallen, then his vow remains operative until the second rainfall.1 R. Zebid said: It has to do with Olives — We have learnt: When is it permissible for any man to take of the gleanings2 [of the field] and of the forgotten sheaves3 and of the corners of the field?4 After the nemushot have departed. When [is it permissible to take] of the grapes that have fallen off the branches and of the gleanings of the vine?5 After the poor have left the vineyard and have come back again. When of the olives?6 After the second rainfall.7 Who are the nemushoth?- R. Johanan said: Old People who walk on a staff8 . Resh Lakish said: Those who glean behind the gleaners.9 R. Papa said: [The date of the second rainfall is necessary] so that travellers should know whether they may walk on private paths10 [across the fields]. For a Master said:11 It is permissible for any one to walk on private paths until the second rainfall. R. Nahman b. Isaac said: [The date is necessary] for the disposal of the produce grown during the sabbatical year. For we have learnt: Until when is it permissible to derive benefit from the burning of straw and stubble grown in the sabbatical year? Until the second rainfall.12 Why? Because it is written, And for thy cattle, and for the beasts that are in thy land;13 so long as there is food for the beast in the field you may feed your cattle in the house, but when there is no more food in the field for the beast to eat, you must withhold food that is in your house from the cattle. R. Abbahu said: What is the meaning of rebi'ah?14 That which fructifies the ground — This is according to the teaching of Rab Judah who said: Rain is the husband of the soil, for it is written, For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither except it water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud.15 R. Abbahu further said: The first rainfall [to be beneficial] should be sufficient to penetrate the soil one handbreadth deep, the second should be sufficient to make of it a stopper for a cask. R. Hisda said: When it has rained sufficient to make [of the soil] a stopper for a cask then [the curse contained in the words ‘and He will shut up’16 does not apply. R. Hisda further said: If rain came down before [the time for reciting in the Shema’], ‘and He will shut up’ then the curse contained in these words does not apply.17 Abaye thereupon interjected: This only holds good when the rain fell before [the time for the recital of the words,] ‘and He will shut up’ in the evening [Shema’], but if rain fell before [the time for their recital in] the morning [Shema’] then the curse can still be said to apply.18 For R. Judah b. Isaac said: The morning clouds have no significance, for it is written, O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as the morning cloud, etc.19 Said R. Papa to Abaye: But people say, if it rains when the gates are opened [in the morning], ‘lay down thy sack ass-driver and sleep’!20 — This is no contradiction. In the one case the heavens are overcast with thick clouds and the other with light clouds. 21 Rab Judah said: Happy is the year wherein [the month of] Tebeth is widowed.22 Some say it is so because the gardens do not lie waste23 [or, because the schools are not empty]; others say, Because the grain will not become subject to blast. Is that so? Did not R. Hisda say: Happy is the year wherein [the month of] Tebeth is muddy!24 — This is no contradiction. The former is the case when rain had already fallen [in the previous months] and the latter when it had not yet fallen. R. Hisda further said: If rain falls on some parts of the country and not on others then [the curse contained in the words], ‘and He will shut up’ cannot be said to apply. Is that so? Is it not written, And I also have withholden the rain from you, when there were three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city and caused it not to rain upon another city; one piece was rained upon etc.?25 And referring to this verse, Rab Judah said in the name of Rab: Both are a curse! — There is no contradiction. In the one case [Scripture speaks of] abnormal rain and in the other of normal rain . R. Ashi said: This can in fact be proved from the use of the word timoter in the verse, that is to say, it will be a place [flooded by] rain.26 And thus [the interpretation] is proved. R. Abbahu said: When do we [begin to] recite the benediction over rain?27 When the bridegroom goes forth to meet the bride.28 What benediction should one recite? — Rab Judah said in the name of Rab: ‘We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, our God for every single drop which thou hast caused to fall upon us’. And R. Johanan concluded the benediction thus: ‘Though our mouths were full of song as the sea, and our tongues of exultation as the multitude of its waves, etc.!’ until, ‘Let not Thy mercies forsake us O Lord, our God, even as they have not forsaken us . Blessed art Thou to Whom abundant thanksgivings are due’. ‘Abundant thanksgivings’ and not ‘all the thanksgivings’? — Raba replied: Read, ‘The God to Whom thanksgivings are due’. R. Papa said: Therefore public (Rashi); (b) ‘paths of (private) property’, R. Gershon.] word is also applied figuratively to mean, School or College Assembly. As the roads are in good condition the scholars are able to attend the lectures at the School Assembly.