Chapter Overview
This chapter describes the Mishnah’s system of escalating communal fasts when rain fails to arrive. The response progresses through three stages:
- Three fasts by scholars
- Three initial public fasts
- Three stricter public fasts
- Seven final severe public fasts
A total of thirteen communal fasts may be declared.
Halachah 1 – Scholars Begin Fasting
If no rain has fallen by 17 MarCheshvan, Torah scholars begin fasting.
They observe:
- Monday
- Thursday
- Monday
The Rambam adds that all serious students are included in this category.
Halachah 2 – First Three Public Fasts
If Rosh Chodesh Kislev arrives and rain still has not fallen, Beit Din decrees three public fasts:
- Monday
- Thursday
- Monday
These are relatively mild:
- Eating and drinking are permitted the night before.
- Public prayers and supplications are held.
- Temple watchmen (Anshei Mishmar) do not fast because of their Temple responsibilities.
Halachah 3 – The Second Set of Three Fasts
If those fasts bring no rain, Beit Din decrees another three:
- Thursday
- Monday
- Thursday
These are significantly stricter.
The fast begins the previous evening, similar to Yom Kippur.
Temple personnel participate according to their duties:
- Anshei Mishmar fast partially.
- Anshei Beit Av do not fast.
Halachah 4 – Accepting the Fast
For fasts that begin before nightfall:
If a person stops eating and mentally decides not to eat anymore, he may not resume eating later, even if daylight remains.
The fast has effectively begun for him.
Halachah 5 – Restrictions During the Middle Three Fasts
These three fasts include additional prohibitions.
Forbidden
- Work during the day
- Full hot bathing
- Anointing
- Marital relations
- Wearing shoes in town
Permitted
- Washing face, hands, and feet
- Washing to remove dirt
- Wearing shoes while traveling
Public prayer and supplication intensify.
Halachah 6 – Seven Final Public Fasts
If rain still does not come, Beit Din decrees seven more fasts:
Monday, Thursday, Monday, Thursday, Monday, Thursday, Monday
These complete the total of thirteen public fast days.
These final seven are the most severe.
Unlike earlier fasts:
- Pregnant women fast.
- Nursing women fast.
Even if unable to fast fully, they should avoid luxuries and eat only what is necessary.
Halachah 7 – Additional Severity of the Final Seven
Only during these final seven fasts:
- Trumpets are sounded.
- Public prayers take place in the town square.
- An elder publicly rebukes and inspires repentance.
- Six blessings are added to the Amidah.
The Amidah therefore contains:
24 blessings
instead of eighteen.
Businesses are also closed.
Halachah 8 – Business Restrictions and Public Mourning
Stores are largely closed.
Exceptions:
- On Monday they may reopen toward evening.
- On Thursday they may remain open all day so people can prepare for Shabbat.
If a store has multiple entrances, one may remain open while another stays closed.
Halachah 9 – If All Thirteen Fasts Fail
If rain still does not arrive after all thirteen fasts:
The community decreases:
- Commerce
- Construction for pleasure
- Decorative projects
- Ornamental planting
- Engagement celebrations
- Weddings
The atmosphere becomes one of mourning and repentance.
Halachah 10 – Conduct During Famine
During famine:
- Marital relations should be limited.
- One who has already fulfilled pru u’rvu should refrain entirely.
People should also reduce social greetings.
Torah scholars conduct themselves as though under Heavenly rebuke, responding solemnly rather than cheerfully.
Halachah 11 – Continued Private Fasts by Scholars
After the thirteen public fasts end:
- The public stops fasting.
- Scholars may continue private fasts on Mondays and Thursdays.
These continue until the season for rain has passed.
These private fasts are lenient:
- Night eating is permitted.
- Bathing is permitted.
- Work is permitted.
- Shoes are permitted.
They are suspended for:
- Rosh Chodesh
- Purim
Halachah 12 – When the Season Is Over
Once the sun reaches the beginning of Taurus (Shor) and the rainy season has effectively ended, fasting ceases.
At that point late rain is no longer beneficial.
The Rambam calls such rain a sign of curse, since it has arrived too late to save the crops.
Halachah 13 – Regions Outside Eretz Yisrael
The dates mentioned earlier apply to Eretz Yisrael and places with similar climates.
Other locations follow the same pattern according to their own rainy season:
- Scholars fast first.
- A waiting period follows.
- Beit Din may then decree the thirteen communal fasts.
Halachah 14 – Public Fasts Outside Eretz Yisrael
Outside Eretz Yisrael, communal drought fasts are less severe.
Even public fasts:
- Permit eating at night.
- Do not have the Yom Kippur-like restrictions of the middle and final fasts in Eretz Yisrael.
The Rambam limits those extraordinary drought regulations to:
- Eretz Yisrael
- Rain crises
- The final ten fasts (the three middle and seven last fasts)
Chapter Theme
Chapter 3 describes Judaism’s escalating response to drought. As rain fails to arrive, the community moves step by step from private fasting by scholars to thirteen public fasts accompanied by prayer, repentance, public exhortation, economic restraint, and communal soul-searching. The goal is not merely rain, but spiritual awakening and return to God.