## Taanit Daf 6a

###### Taanit 6a:1
[Taanit 6a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:1)

יִהְיוּ כְּמוֹתְךָ. אַף אַתָּה, בַּמָּה אֲבָרֶכְךָ? אִם בְּתוֹרָה — הֲרֵי תּוֹרָה, אִם בְּעוֹשֶׁר — הֲרֵי עוֹשֶׁר, אִם בְּבָנִים — הֲרֵי בָּנִים, אֶלָּא: יְהִי רָצוֹן שֶׁיִּהְיוּ צֶאֱצָאֵי מֵעֶיךָ כְּמוֹתְךָ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**be like you. So** it is with **you. With what shall I bless you? If** I bless you **with Torah,** you already have **Torah; if** I bless you **with wealth,** you already have **wealth; if** I bless you **with children,** you already have **children. Rather, may it be** God’s **will that your offspring shall be like you.**


###### Taanit 6a:2
[Taanit 6a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:2)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״יוֹרֶה״ — שֶׁמּוֹרֶה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת לְהָטִיחַ גַּגּוֹתֵיהֶן, וּלְהַכְנִיס אֶת פֵּירוֹתֵיהֶן, וְלַעֲשׂוֹת כׇּל צׇרְכֵיהֶן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: שֶׁמַּרְוֶה אֶת הָאָרֶץ וּמַשְׁקָהּ עַד תְּהוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תְּלָמֶיהָ רַוֵּה נַחֵת גְּדוּדֶיהָ בִּרְבִיבִים תְּמֹגְגֶנָּה צִמְחָהּ תְּבָרֵךְ״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״יוֹרֶה״ — שֶׁיּוֹרֵד בְּנַחַת וְאֵינוֹ יוֹרֵד בְּזַעַף.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara returns to the topic of rain. **The Sages taught** in a *baraita*: The **first rain [*yoreh*]** is called by this name due to the fact **that it instructs [*moreh*] people to plaster their roofs and to bring in their produce** from the fields to their houses **and to attend to all their needs** in the field before more rain falls. **Alternatively,** *yoreh* is referring to the fact **that it moistens [*marve*] the earth and waters it to** the **depths, as it is stated: “Watering [*ravvei*] its ridges abundantly, settling down its furrows, You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth”** (Psalms 65:11). **Alternatively,** *yoreh* means **that it falls gently and it does not fall vehemently.**


###### Taanit 6a:3
[Taanit 6a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:3)

אוֹ אֵינוֹ ״יוֹרֶה״, אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּשִּׁיר אֶת הַפֵּירוֹת, וּמַשְׁטִיף אֶת הַזְּרָעִים, וּמַשְׁטִיף אֶת הָאִילָנוֹת — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״מַלְקוֹשׁ״, מָה מַלְקוֹשׁ לִבְרָכָה — אַף יוֹרֶה לִבְרָכָה. אוֹ אֵינוֹ ״מַלְקוֹשׁ״, אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּפִּיל אֶת הַבָּתִּים, וּמְשַׁבֵּר אֶת הָאִילָנוֹת, וּמַעֲלֶה אֶת הַסַּקָּאִין — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יוֹרֶה״, מָה יוֹרֶה לִבְרָכָה — אַף מַלְקוֹשׁ לִבְרָכָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Or** perhaps **that is not** the case; rather, ***yoreh*** means **that** the rain **causes the fruit to drop** from the trees, **washes the seeds** away, **and washes the trees** away in a destructive manner. According to this interpretation, *yoreh* is related to *yeriya*, shooting. Therefore **the verse states: “Last rain [*malkosh*]”** (Deuteronomy 11:14); **just as *malkosh*** refers specifically to rains that are **for a blessing, so too, *yoreh*** is referring to rains that are **for a blessing. Or** perhaps **that is not** the case; rather, ***malkosh*** means **that** the rain falls so hard [*kashe*] and vehemently that **it knocks down the houses, shatters the trees and brings up the locusts?** Therefore, **the verse states: “*Yoreh*,”** from which it may be inferred that **just as *yoreh* is for a blessing, so too, *malkosh*** is **for a blessing.**


###### Taanit 6a:4
[Taanit 6a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:4)

וְיוֹרֶה גּוּפֵיהּ מְנָלַן — דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבְנֵי צִיּוֹן גִּילוּ וְשִׂמְחוּ בַּה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כִּי נָתַן לָכֶם אֶת הַמּוֹרֶה לִצְדָקָה וַיּוֹרֶד לָכֶם גֶּשֶׁם מוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בָּרִאשׁוֹן״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**And** with regard to ***yoreh* itself, from where do we** derive that it is referring to rain that falls for a blessing? **As it is written: “You children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the first rain [*moreh*] in His kindness, and He caused to come down for you the rain,** the **first rain [*moreh*] and** the **last rain [*malkosh*], in the first** month” (Joel 2:23). This verse clearly states that *yoreh*, also referred to as *moreh*, fall due to God’s kindness, for a blessing.


###### Taanit 6a:5
[Taanit 6a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:5)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: יוֹרֶה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן, וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּנִיסָן. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר: יוֹרֶה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּנִיסָן, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא יוֹרֶה בְּתִשְׁרִי וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּאִיָּיר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״בְּעִתּוֹ״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara cites another *baraita* on the same topic. **The Sages taught:** The **first rain** falls **in Marḥeshvan and** the **last rain in Nisan.** Do **you say** that the **first rain is in Marḥeshvan and** the **last rain in Nisan, or** perhaps **it is only** that the **first rain** falls **in Tishrei and** the **last rain in Iyyar?** Therefore, **the verse states:** “I shall give the rain of your land **in its due time”** (Deuteronomy 11:14). Its due time is in Marḥeshvan, when rain is needed for the crops to sprout, and in Nisan, to complete the growth of the crops.


###### Taanit 6a:6
[Taanit 6a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:6)

״מַלְקוֹשׁ״ — אָמַר רַב נְהִילַאי בַּר אִידֵּי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: דָּבָר שֶׁמָּל קַשְׁיוּתֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל תָּנָא: דָּבָר שֶׁמְּמַלֵּא תְּבוּאָה בְּקַשֶּׁיהָ. בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: דָּבָר שֶׁיּוֹרֵד עַל הַמְּלִילוֹת וְעַל הַקַּשִּׁין.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara clarifies the meaning of the word for the **last rain [*malkosh*]. Rav Nehilai bar Idi said** that **Shmuel said:** It is **a matter that circumcises [*mal*] the stubbornness [*kashyuteihen*] of the Jewish people,** i.e., it penetrates to the hearts of the Jewish people, as when rain does not fall in its time, they turn to God in repentance. **The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught:** The last rain is called *malkosh* because it is **a matter that fills out [*memalle*] produce in its stalks [*bekasheha*].** Although the stalks already exist from earlier in the year, it is this rain that causes the grain within to swell and fill them. **It was taught in a *baraita*:** *Malkosh* is **a matter that comes down on the ears [*melilot*] and on the stalks [*kashin*].**


###### Taanit 6a:7
[Taanit 6a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:7)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: יוֹרֶה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן, וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּנִיסָן. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר יוֹרֶה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא בְּחֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵיו? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״בְּעִתּוֹ יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ״, מָה מַלְקוֹשׁ בְּעִתּוֹ — אַף יוֹרֶה בְּעִתּוֹ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁיָּצָא נִיסָן וְיָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים אֵינוֹ סִימַן בְּרָכָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Sages taught** in a *baraita*: The **first rain** falls **in Marḥeshvan and** the **last rain in Nisan.** Do **you say** that **the first rain is in Marḥeshvan, or** perhaps **it is only in** the month of **Kislev? The verse states:** “I shall give the rain of your land **in its due time, the first rain and the last rain”** (Deuteronomy 11:14). **Just as** the **last rain** falls **in its due time, so too,** the **first rain** falls **in its due time.** And, **as** previously stated, **once Nisan has ended and** the **rains** subsequently **fall,** this **is not a sign of a blessing,** but a curse. Likewise, Marḥeshvan is the best time for the first rains to fall.


###### Taanit 6a:8
[Taanit 6a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:8)

תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: יוֹרֶה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן וּמַלְקוֹשׁ בְּנִיסָן, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: יוֹרֶה בְּכִסְלֵיו.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**It is taught** in **another** *baraita*: The **first rain** is **in Marḥeshvan and** the **last rain** is **in Nisan.** This is **the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say:** The time of the **first rain** is **in Kislev.**


###### Taanit 6a:9
[Taanit 6a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:9)

מַאן חֲכָמִים? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא: אֵיזוֹ הִיא רְבִיעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה? הַבְּכִירָה — בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן, בֵּינוֹנִית — בְּשִׁבְעָה בּוֹ, אֲפִילָה — בְּשִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר בּוֹ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: בְּשִׁבְעָה, וּבְשִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר, וּבְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **Who are the Rabbis** cited here? **Rav Ḥisda said:** It is the opinion of **Rabbi Yosei, as it is taught** in a *baraita*: **When is the first rainfall?** Each opinion cited in the *baraita* provides a range of dates for when this rainfall is expected. **The earliest** date on which the first rainfall might occur is **on the third of Marḥeshvan,** the **intermediate** time is **on the seventh of** the month, **and the latest** is **on the seventeenth of** the month. This is **the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says:** The earliest that it might fall is **on the seventh** of Marḥeshvan, the intermediate date is **on the seventeenth, and** the latest is **on the twenty-third.**


###### Taanit 6a:10
[Taanit 6a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:10)

רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: בְּשִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר, וּבְעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וּבְרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵיו. וְכֵן הָיָה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: אֵין הַיְּחִידִים מִתְעַנִּין עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵיו.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rabbi Yosei says:** The earliest time for the first rain is **on the seventeenth** of Marḥeshvan, the intermediate date is **on the twenty-third, and** the latest is **on the New Moon of Kislev. And, so too, Rabbi Yosei would say:** The learned **individuals** who would start to fast for rain at an earlier time than the rest of the community **do not** start to **fast** due to a drought **until the New Moon of Kislev.** Until this date arrives it is not considered a drought, as the first rainfall could still fall in its proper time.


###### Taanit 6a:11
[Taanit 6a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:11)

אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי. אַמֵּימָר מַתְנֵי לְהָא דְּרַב חִסְדָּא בְּהָא לִישָּׁנָא: בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה בִּמְרַחְשְׁוָן שׁוֹאֲלִין אֶת הַגְּשָׁמִים, רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: בְּשִׁבְעָה בּוֹ, אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav Ḥisda said: The *halakha* is in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabbi Yosei. Ameimar** would **teach this** ruling **of Rav Ḥisda in the following language: On the third of Marḥeshvan one** starts to **request rain; Rabban Gamliel says: On the seventh.** With regard to this statement, **Rav Ḥisda said: The *halakha* is in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabban Gamliel.**


###### Taanit 6a:12
[Taanit 6a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:12)

כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּתַנְיָא, רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: גְּשָׁמִים שֶׁיָּרְדוּ שִׁבְעָה יָמִים זֶה אַחַר זֶה אַתָּה מוֹנֶה בָּהֶן רְבִיעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה וּשְׁנִיָּה וּשְׁלִישִׁית, כְּמַאן — כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **In accordance with whose** opinion **is that which is taught** in a *baraita*. **Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says:** With regard to **rains that fell** on **seven consecutive days, you count them** as two separate rainfalls, either as **the first and second rainfalls** together, or as the second **and third** rainfalls together. **In accordance with whose** opinion is this statement? It is in accordance **with** the opinion of **Rabbi Yosei,** as he alone establishes a set interval of seven days between each of the rainfalls. **Rav Ḥisda said: The *halakha* is in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabbi Yosei.**


###### Taanit 6a:13
[Taanit 6a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Taanit/r/6a:13)

בִּשְׁלָמָא רְבִיעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה — לִשְׁאוֹל. שְׁלִישִׁית — לְהִתְעַנּוֹת. שְׁנִיָּה, לְמַאי? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: לִנְדָרִים, דִּתְנַן:

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
With regard to the mention of three rainfalls in the *baraita*, the Gemara asks: **Granted,** the time of the **first rainfall** is significant, as it is the date when one begins **to request** rain. Likewise, the time of the **third** rainfall is important, so that one knows when to begin **to fast** if no rain has fallen by then. However, **for what** reason is the **second** rainfall mentioned in the *baraita*? **Rabbi Zeira said:** The second rainfall is significant **for** the issue of **vows, as we learned** in a mishna: