Fasts Chapter 1

מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה מִן הַתּוֹרָה לִזְעֹק וּלְהָרִיעַ בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת עַל כָּל צָרָה שֶׁתָּבוֹא עַל הַצִּבּוּר. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר י ט) "עַל הַצַּר הַצֹּרֵר אֶתְכֶם וַהֲרֵעֹתֶם בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת". כְּלוֹמַר כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁיָּצֵר לָכֶם כְּגוֹן בַּצֹּרֶת וְדֶבֶר וְאַרְבֶּה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן זַעֲקוּ עֲלֵיהֶן וְהָרִיעוּ:

It is a positive commandment from the Torah to cry out and to sound trumpets for all troubles that come upon the community, as it is said, "upon an enemy who attacks you and you sound trumpets (Numbers 10:9)." That is to say, every matter that troubles you like famine, plague, locusts, and so forth, cry out because of them and sound the trumpets.

וְדָבָר זֶה מִדַּרְכֵי הַתְּשׁוּבָה הוּא. שֶׁבִּזְמַן שֶׁתָּבוֹא צָרָה וְיִזְעֲקוּ עָלֶיהָ וְיָרִיעוּ יֵדְעוּ הַכּל שֶׁבִּגְלַל מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם הָרָעִים הוּרַע לָהֶן כַּכָּתוּב (ירמיה ה כה) "עֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם הִטּוּ" וְגוֹ'. וְזֶה הוּא שֶׁיִּגְרֹם לָהֶם לְהָסִיר הַצָּרָה מֵעֲלֵיהֶם:

This practice is one of the paths of repentance, for when a difficulty arises, and the people cry out [to G-d] and sound the trumpets, everyone will realize that [the difficulty] occurred because of their evil conduct, as [Jeremiah 5:25] states: "Your sins have turned away [the rains and the harvest climate]." This [realization] will cause the removal of this difficulty.

אֲבָל אִם לֹא יִזְעֲקוּ וְלֹא יָרִיעוּ אֶלָּא יֹאמְרוּ דָּבָר זֶה מִמִּנְהַג הָעוֹלָם אֵרַע לָנוּ וְצָרָה זוֹ נִקְרָה נִקְרֵית. הֲרֵי זוֹ דֶּרֶךְ אַכְזָרִיּוּת וְגוֹרֶמֶת לָהֶם לְהִדַּבֵּק בְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם הָרָעִים. וְתוֹסִיף הַצָּרָה צָרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת. הוּא שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה (ויקרא כו כז) "וַהֲלַכְתֶּם עִמִּי בְּקֶרִי" (ויקרא כו כח) "וְהָלַכְתִּי גַּם אֲנִי עִמָּכֶם בַּחֲמַת קֶרִי". כְּלוֹמַר כְּשֶׁאָבִיא עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה כְּדֵי שֶׁתָּשׁוּבוּ אִם תֹּאמְרוּ שֶׁהִיא קֶרִי אוֹסִיף לָכֶם חֲמַת אוֹתוֹ קֶרִי:

But if they do not cry out and sound trumpets, but rather say: "What has happed is the way of the world, is merely happenstance". This is a cruel way, and it causes them to stick to their bad deeds. And the trouble will add other troubles. About this it is written in the Torah (Not an exact quote, seems to be referring to Leviticus 26, 27-28): "but walk contrary unto Me then I will walk contrary unto you in fury". That is, when I will bring upon you troubles, if you will say that it is happenstance I will increase the fury of this tear.

וּמִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עַל כָּל צָרָה שֶׁתָּבוֹא עַל הַצִּבּוּר עַד שֶׁיְּרֻחֲמוּ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. וּבִימֵי הַתַּעֲנִיּוֹת הָאֵלּוּ זוֹעֲקִין בִּתְפִלּוֹת וּמִתְחַנְּנִים וּמְרִיעִין בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת בִּלְבַד. וְאִם הָיוּ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ מְרִיעִין בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת וּבְשׁוֹפָר. הַשּׁוֹפָר מְקַצֵּר וְהַחֲצוֹצְרוֹת מַאֲרִיכוֹת. שֶׁמִּצְוַת הַיּוֹם בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת. וְאֵין תּוֹקְעִין בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת וְשׁוֹפָר כְּאֶחָד אֶלָּא בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהילים צח ו) "בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת וְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר הָרִיעוּ לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ ה'":

In addition, it is a Rabbinic ordinance to fast whenever there is a difficulty that affects the community until there is a manifestation of Divine mercy. On these fast days, we cry out in prayer, offer supplications, and sound the trumpets only. In the Temple, we sound both the trumpets and the shofar. The shofar blasts should be shortened and the trumpet blasts extended, for the mitzvah of the day is with the trumpets. The trumpets are sounded together with the shofar only in the Temple, as [can be inferred from Psalms 98:6]: "Sound trumpets and shofar blasts before G-d, the King."

תַּעֲנִיּוֹת אֵלּוּ שֶׁגּוֹזְרִין עַל הַצִּבּוּר מִפְּנֵי הַצָּרוֹת אֵינָן יוֹם אַחַר יוֹם. שֶׁאֵין רֹב הַצִּבּוּר יְכוֹלִים לַעֲמֹד בְּדָבָר זֶה. וְאֵין גּוֹזְרִין בַּתְּחִלָּה תַּעֲנִית אֶלָּא בְּשֵׁנִי בְּשַׁבָּת וּבַחֲמִישִׁי שֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיו וּבְשֵׁנִי שֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיו וְכֵן עַל הַסֵּדֶר הַזֶּה שֵׁנִי וַחֲמִישִׁי וְשֵׁנִי עַד שֶׁיְּרֻחֲמוּ:

These fasts ordained for the community because of difficulties should not be consecutive, for the community would not be able to observe such a practice. A communal fast should be ordained only on a Monday, on the subsequent Thursday, and on the subsequent Monday. This pattern - Monday, Thursday, Monday - should be followed until [G-d manifests His] mercies.

אֵין גּוֹזְרִין תַּעֲנִית עַל הַצִּבּוּר לֹא בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת וְלֹא בְּיָמִים טוֹבִים. וְכֵן אֵין תּוֹקְעִין בָּהֶן לֹא בְּשׁוֹפָר וְלֹא בַּחֲצוֹצְרוֹת וְלֹא זוֹעֲקִים וּמִתְחַנְּנִים בָּהֶם בַּתְּפִלָּה. אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הָיְתָה עִיר שֶׁהִקִּיפוּהָ עַכּוּ"ם אוֹ נָהָר אוֹ סְפִינָה הַמִּטָּרֶפֶת בַּיָּם. אֲפִלּוּ יָחִיד הַנִּרְדָּף מִפְּנֵי עַכּוּ"ם מִפְּנֵי לִסְטִים וּמִפְּנֵי רוּחַ רָעָה (מִתְעַנִּין עֲלֵיהֶם בְּשַׁבָּת וְ) זוֹעֲקִין וּמִתְחַנְּנִים עֲלֵיהֶם בַּתְּפִלָּה. אֲבָל אֵין תּוֹקְעִין אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן תָּקְעוּ לְקַבֵּץ אֶת הָעָם לַעֲזֹר אוֹתָם וּלְהַצִּילָן:

A communal fast should not be decreed on a Sabbath, nor on a festival. On these days, neither a shofar nor a trumpet should be sounded, nor do we cry out [to G-d] or offer supplications in prayer. The [only] exceptions are a city surrounded by gentiles or a [flooding] river and a ship that is sinking at sea. [In these instances, and indeed,] even when a single individual is being pursued by gentiles, by thieves, or by an evil spirit (we may fast because of them on the Sabbath), cry out [to G-d], and offer supplications on their behalf in prayer. [The trumpets] should not be sounded for them, however, unless they are being sounded to gather together the people to help them and [try to] save them.

וְכֵן אֵין גּוֹזְרִין תַּעֲנִית בַּתְּחִלָּה בְּרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים אוֹ בַּחֲנֻכָּה וּפוּרִים אוֹ בְּחֻלּוֹ שֶׁל מוֹעֵד. וְאִם הִתְחִילוּ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עַל הַצָּרָה אֲפִלּוּ יוֹם אֶחָד וּפָגַע בָּהֶן יוֹם מֵאֵלּוּ מִתְעַנִּין וּמַשְׁלִימִין הַיּוֹם בְּתַעֲנִית:

Similarly, at the outset, a fast should not be ordained on Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, or Chol HaMo'ed. If, however, the community has begun to fast because of a distressing situation for even a single day, and the schedule of fasts requires that a fast be held on one of the days mentioned above, we should fast, and [indeed,] fast for the entire day.

תַּעֲנִיּוֹת אֵלּוּ שֶׁמִּתְעַנִּין עַל הַצָּרוֹת אֵין מִתְעַנִּין בָּהֶן לֹא עֻבָּרוֹת וְלֹא מֵינִיקוֹת וְלֹא קְטַנִּים. וּמֻתָּרִין לֶאֱכל בַּלַּיְלָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמִּתְעַנִּין לְמָחָר חוּץ מִתַּעֲנִיּוֹת הַמָּטָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר. וְכָל תַּעֲנִית שֶׁאוֹכְלִין בָּהּ בַּלַּיְלָה בֵּין צִבּוּר בֵּין יָחִיד הֲרֵי זֶה אוֹכֵל וְשׁוֹתֶה עַד שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר. וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יָשֵׁן אֲבָל אִם יָשֵׁן אֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר וְאוֹכֵל:

Pregnant women, nursing women, and children need not fast on communal fasts that are instituted because of difficulties of this nature. [With regard to these fasts,] even though we are required to fast during the day, we are allowed to eat on [the preceding] night, with the exception of the fasts instituted for [a lack of] rain, as will be explained. Whenever we are allowed to eat on the night of a fast, whether a communal fast or an individual fast, a person is allowed to eat until dawn, provided he does not sleep. If he goes to sleep, he may not eat after arising.

כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהַצִּבּוּר מִתְעַנִּים עַל צָרָתָן כָּךְ הַיָּחִיד מִתְעַנֶּה עַל צָרָתוֹ. כֵּיצַד. הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ חוֹלֶה אוֹ תּוֹעֶה בַּמִּדְבָּר אוֹ אָסוּר בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין. יֵשׁ לוֹ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עָלָיו וּלְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים בִּתְפִלָּתוֹ. וְאוֹמֵר עֲנֵנוּ וְכוּ' בְּכָל תְּפִלָּה שֶׁמִּתְפַּלֵּל. וְלֹא יִתְעַנֶּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת וְלֹא בְּמוֹעֲדוֹת וְלֹא בְּרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים וְלֹא בַּחֲנֻכָּה וּפוּרִים:

Just as the community should fast because of distress, so too, each individual should fast [when confronted by] distress. What is implied? When an individual to whom a person [feels close] is sick, lost in the desert, or imprisoned, one should fast for his sake, ask for mercy for him in prayer, and say [the passage] Anenu in all the Shemoneh Esreh prayers recited [that day]. One should not fast on the Sabbath, on festivals, on Rosh Chodesh, on Chanukah, or on Purim.

כָּל תַּעֲנִית שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלָהּ עָלָיו הַיָּחִיד מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם אֵינוֹ תַּעֲנִית. כֵּיצַד מְקַבְּלָהּ. כְּשֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלַּת מִנְחָה אוֹמֵר אַחַר הַתְּפִלָּה מָחָר אֱהֵא בְּתַעֲנִית וְגוֹמֵר בְּלִבּוֹ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת לְמָחָר. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא אוֹכֵל בַּלַּיְלָה לֹא הִפְסִיד כְּלוּם. וְכֵן אִם גָּמַר בְּלִבּוֹ וְקִבֵּל עָלָיו לְהִתְעַנּוֹת שְׁלֹשָׁה אוֹ אַרְבָּעָה יָמִים זֶה אַחַר זֶה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא אוֹכֵל כָּל לַיְלָה וְלַיְלָה לֹא הִפְסִיד תַּעֲנִיתוֹ. וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ כַּוָּנָה לְכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם מִבְּעוֹדוֹ:

Whenever an individual did not accept a fast [on the previous day] before sunset, it is not considered to be a fast. How does one accept a fast? After reciting the afternoon prayers, one states, "Tomorrow I will fast," and resolves to do so. Although one eats at night, this does not detract from one's commitment to fast. Similarly, if one resolved to fast for three or four days consecutively and accepts such a fast upon oneself, the fact that one eats each night does not detract from his fast. It is unnecessary for him to state his intent on the afternoon before each succeeding day.

קִבֵּל עָלָיו מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם לְהִתְעַנּוֹת לְמָחָר בִּלְבַד וְהִתְעַנָּה. וּבַלַּיְלָה נִמְלַךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּיוֹם שֵׁנִי. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלָּן בְּתַעֲנִיתוֹ אֵינָהּ תַּעֲנִית מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלָהּ עָלָיו מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר שֶׁהָיָה אוֹכֵל וְשׁוֹתֶה בַּלַּיְלָה וְהִשְׁכִּים בַּבֹּקֶר וְנִמְלַךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת שֶׁאֵין זוֹ תַּעֲנִית כְּלָל:

When a person accepted a resolution to fast on the following day, and indeed, did fast, and on the night [following his fast], changed his mind and decided to [continue his] fast on the following day, it is not considered a fast, because he did not accept [this commitment] while it was still day. [This applies] even if he continued his fast overnight. Needless to say, if he ate and drank at night and woke up in the morning and desired to fast, it is not considered a fast at all.

הָרוֹאֶה חֲלוֹם רַע צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת לְמָחָר. כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּשׁוּב וְיֵעוֹר בְּמַעֲשָׂיו וִיחַפֵּשׂ בָּהֶן וְיַחֲזֹר בִּתְשׁוּבָה. וּמִתְעַנֶּה וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּשַׁבָּת. וּמִתְפַּלֵּל עֲנֵנוּ בְּכָל תְּפִלָּה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלָהּ מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם. וְהַמִּתְעַנֶּה בְּשַׁבָּת מִתְעַנֶּה יוֹם אַחֵר מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבִּטֵּל עֹנֶג שַׁבָּת:

A person who has a disturbing dream must fast on the following day, so that he will be motivated to improve his conduct, inspect his deeds, and turn [to G-d] in repentance. He should undertake such a fast even on the Sabbath, reciting the passage Anenu in each of the prayer services. [This applies] even though he did not resolve on the previous day to fast. When a person fasts on the Sabbath, he must fast on another day as well, [to atone for] nullifying [the mitzvah of indulging in] pleasurable activities on the Sabbath.

מִתְעַנֶּה אָדָם שָׁעוֹת וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יֹאכַל כְּלוּם שְׁאָר הַיּוֹם. כֵּיצַד. הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה טָרוּד בַּחֲפָצָיו ומִתְעַסֵּק בִּצְרָכָיו וְלֹא אָכַל עַד חֲצוֹת אוֹ עַד תֵּשַׁע שָׁעוֹת וְנִמְלַךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בַּשָּׁעוֹת שֶׁנִּשְׁאֲרוּ מִן הַיּוֹם. הֲרֵי זֶה מִתְעַנֶּה אוֹתָן שָׁעוֹת וּמִתְפַּלֵּל בָּהֶן עֲנֵנוּ. שֶׁהֲרֵי קִבֵּל עָלָיו הַתַּעֲנִית קֹדֶם שְׁעוֹת הַתַּעֲנִית. וְכֵן אִם אָכַל וְשָׁתָה וְאַחַר כָּךְ הִתְחִיל לְהִתְעַנּוֹת שְׁאָר הַיּוֹם הֲרֵי זֶה תַּעֲנִית שָׁעוֹת:

A person may fast for several hours - i.e., that he not eat anything for the remainder of a day. What is implied? A person was involved with his affairs and tended to his concerns without eating until noon or until three in the afternoon. Should he make a decision to fast for the remaining hours of the day, he should fast for that time and recite [the passage] Anenu, because he accepted the fast before the hours of the fast. Similarly, if a person ate or drank and then began to fast for the entire day, it is considered to be a fast for several hours.

כָּל הַשָּׁרוּי בְּתַעֲנִית. בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה מִתְעַנֶּה עַל צָרָתוֹ אוֹ עַל חֲלוֹמוֹ בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה מִתְעַנֶּה עִם הַצִּבּוּר עַל צָרָתָם. הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִנְהֹג עִדּוּנִין בְּעַצְמוֹ וְלֹא יָקֵל רֹאשׁוֹ וְלֹא יִהְיֶה שָׂמֵחַ וְטוֹב לֵב אֶלָּא דּוֹאֵג וְאוֹנֵן כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (איכה ג לט) "מַה יִּתְאוֹנֵן אָדָם חָי גֶּבֶר עַל חֲטָאָיו". וּמֻתָּר לוֹ לִטְעֹם אֶת הַתַּבְשִׁיל וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּכְדֵי רְבִיעִית וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יִבְלַע אֶלָּא טוֹעֵם וּפוֹלֵט. שָׁכַח וְאָכַל מַשְׁלִים תַּעֲנִיתוֹ:

Whenever a person is fasting, whether he is fasting because of an individual distress, a disturbing dream, or distress of a communal nature, he should not indulge in pleasures, act frivolously, or be happy and of good spirits. Instead, [his conduct] should be characterized by serious concern, [as if he were] in mourning, as [implied by Eichah 3:39]: "Over what should a living man be concerned? [Each] man over his sins." It is permitted for [a person who is fasting] to taste even a revi'it of food, provided he spits it out without swallowing it. If [a person who is fasting] forgets and eats, he should complete his fast.

יָחִיד שֶׁהָיָה מִתְעַנֶּה עַל הַחוֹלֶה וְנִתְרַפֵּא. עַל צָרָה וְעָבְרָה. הֲרֵי זֶה מַשְׁלִים תַּעֲנִיתוֹ. הַהוֹלֵךְ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁמִּתְעַנִּין לְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין מִתְעַנִּין הֲרֵי זֶה מִתְעַנֶּה וּמַשְׁלִים תַּעֲנִיתוֹ. הָלַךְ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁאֵין מִתְעַנִּין לְמָקוֹם שֶׁמִּתְעַנִּין הֲרֵי זֶה מִתְעַנֶּה עִמָּהֶן. שָׁכַח וְאָכַל וְשָׁתָה אַל יִתְרָאֶה בִּפְנֵיהֶם וְאַל יִנְהֹג עִדּוּנִין בְּעַצְמוֹ:

When an individual was fasting for a sick person, and the latter recovered, or because of a distressing situation, and the difficulty passed - he should complete his fast. A person who travels from a place where [the community] is fasting to a place where [the community] is not fasting should complete his fast. One who travels from a place where [the community] is not fasting to a place where [the community] is fasting should fast together with them. If he forgets and eats and drinks, he should not let himself be seen, nor should he indulge in pleasures.

צִבּוּר שֶׁהָיוּ מִתְעַנִּין עַל הַגְּשָׁמִים וְיָרְדוּ לָהֶן גְּשָׁמִים. אִם קֹדֶם חֲצוֹת יָרְדוּ לֹא יַשְׁלִימוּ אֶלָּא אוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין וּמִתְכַּנְּסִין וְקוֹרְאִין הַלֵּל הַגָּדוֹל. שֶׁאֵין אוֹמְרִין הַלֵּל הַגָּדוֹל אֶלָּא בְּנֶפֶשׁ שְׂבֵעָה וְכֶרֶס מְלֵאָה. וְאִם אַחַר חֲצוֹת הוֹאִיל וְעָבַר רֹב הַיּוֹם בִּקְדֻשָּׁה יַשְׁלִימוּ תַּעֲנִיתָן. וְכֵן אִם הָיוּ מִתְעַנִּין עַל צָרָה וְעָבְרָה אוֹ עַל גְּזֵרָה וּבָטְלָה. אִם קֹדֶם חֲצוֹת לֹא יַשְׁלִימוּ וְאִם אַחַר חֲצוֹת יַשְׁלִימוּ:

When a community is fasting for the sake of rain, and it begins to rain before noon, the people should not complete their fast. Instead, they should eat, drink, and gather together to read the Great Hallel, for the Great Hallel is recited only when one's spirit is satisfied and one's belly is full. If [the rains descended] after noon, since the majority of the day had passed in holiness, they should complete their fast. Similar [rules apply] if [a community] was fasting because of a distressing situation and the distress passed, or because of a harsh decree and the decree was nullified: [If this occurred] before noon, they need not complete their fast; after noon, they should complete their fast.

בְּכָל יוֹם תַּעֲנִית שֶׁגּוֹזְרִין עַל הַצִּבּוּר מִפְּנֵי הַצָּרוֹת. בֵּית דִּין וְהַזְּקֵנִים יוֹשְׁבִין בְּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת וּבוֹדְקִים עַל מַעֲשֵׂי אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר מֵאַחַר תְּפִלַּת שַׁחֲרִית עַד חֲצוֹת הַיּוֹם. וּמְסִירִין הַמִּכְשׁוֹלוֹת שֶׁל עֲבֵרוֹת. וּמַזְהִירִין וְדוֹרְשִׁין וְחוֹקְרִין עַל בַּעֲלֵי חָמָס וַעֲבֵרוֹת וּמַפְרִישִׁין אוֹתָן. וְעַל בַּעֲלֵי זְרוֹעַ וּמַשְׁפִּילִין אוֹתָן. וְכַיּוֹצֵא בִּדְבָרִים אֵלּוּ. וּמֵחֲצִי הַיּוֹם וְלָעֶרֶב רְבִיעַ הַיּוֹם קוֹרְאִין בִּבְרָכוֹת וּקְלָלוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ג יא) "מוּסַר ה' בְּנִי אַל תִּמְאָס וְאַל תָּקֹץ בְּתוֹכַחְתּוֹ". וּמַפְטִירִין בַּנָּבִיא בְּתוֹכָחוֹת מֵעִנְיַן הַצָּרָה. וּרְבִיעַ הַיּוֹם הָאַחֲרוֹן מִתְפַּלְּלִים מִנְחָה וּמִתְחַנְּנִים וְזוֹעֲקִים וּמִתְוַדִּים כְּפִי כֹּחָם:

Whenever there is a communal fast that was instituted for a distressing circumstance, the [community's] court and [its] elders sit in the synagogue and review the conduct of the city's [inhabitants] from the time the morning prayers were concluded until noon. They remove the stumbling blocks that lead to sin. They give warnings, enquire, and investigate all those who pursue violence and sin, and [encourage them] to depart [from these ways]. Similarly, [they investigate] people who coerce others and humble them. They also occupy themselves with other similar matters. [This is what would happen] from noon until the evening: During the [third] quarter of the day, they would read the blessings and the curses in the Torah [as implied by Proverbs 3:11]: "My son, do not despise the instruction of the Lord, and do not reject His rebuke." As the haftarah, they would read a portion from the prophets appropriate to the distress [for which they are fasting]. During the [fourth] quarter of the day, the afternoon service is recited, supplications are made, [the people] cry out [to G-d] and confess according to their capability.