Commentary for Taanit 11:13

בשלמא רביעה ראשונה לשאול שלישית להתענות שניה למאי אמר ר' זירא לנדרים דתנן

R'Hisda replied: It is R'Jose. For it has been taught: Which is the first rainfall?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [ . The yoreh (former rain) consists of three rainfalls, each being termed rebi'ah; when each is due is the point at issue in the discussion that follows. The word 'first' is accordingly difficult and is omitted by R. Hananel and MSS. of the Tosef. Ta'an. I from where the passage is quoted.]');">¹⁶</span> The early [rain] falls on the third of Marcheshvan, the intermediate on the seventh, the late on the seventeenth; this is the opinion of R'Meir. R'Judah says: On the seventh, on the seventeenth, and on the twenty-third. R'Jose says: On the seventeenth, on the twenty-third and on the first of Kislev. And likewise R'Jose used to say: The individuals do not begin to fast until the first day of Kislev. R'Hisda said: The halachah is according to the opinion of R'Jose. Amemar reported R'Hisda's statement in the following version: On the third day of Marcheshvan we pray for rain; Rabban Gamaliel says, On the seventh of the month. R'Hisda said: The halachah is according to Rabban Gamaliel. In accordance with whose view then is the following which has been taught: R'Simeon B'Gamaliel says: If rain falls on seven days in succession you may consider it as the combination of the first, the second [or the second] and the third rainfall?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [The words in square brackets are supplied from MS.M.; v. also Tosef. loc. cit.]');">¹⁷</span> - It is in accordance with the opinion of R'Jose.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [According to R. Jose each rainfall is due within seven days of the other].');">¹⁸</span> R'Hisda said: The halachah is according to R'Jose. The reason for giving a date for the first rainfall is evident seeing that from that date we begin to pray for rain; likewise the date of the third rainfall is given because from that date we begin to fast; but what may be the reason for giving the date of the second rainfall? -R'Zera replied: It has to do with Vows. For we have learnt:

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