Commentary for Taanit 50:16
מעשה וגזרו תענית בלוד כו': ונימא הלל מעיקרא אביי ורבא דאמרי תרווייהו לפי שאין אומרים הלל
R'Judah says: If before midday they need not complete the fast, if after midday they must complete it. R'Jose says: If before the ninth hour they need not complete the fast, if after the ninth hour they must complete it - For thus we find it in the case of Ahab, King of Israe that he fasted from the ninth hour onwards, as it is said, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I Kings XXI, 29. According to Pes. ');"><sup>14</sup></span> R'Judah the Prince<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra p. 64, n. 1.');"><sup>15</sup></span> ordained a fast and rain fell after sunrise. He was of the opinion that the people should complete the fast. Said R'Ammi to him: We have learnt: [There is a difference] between before midday and after midday. Samuel the Little ordained a fast and rain fell before sunrise. The people thought that it was due to the merit of the community, whereupon he said to them: I will quote you a parable. This can be compared to a servant who asked his master for a gratuity and the master exclaimed, Give it to him, and let me not hear his voice. Another time Samuel the Little ordained a fast and rain fell after sunset. The people thought that it was due to the merit of the community. whereupon Samuel exclaimed: I will quote you a parable. This can be compared to a servant who asked his master for a gratuity and the master exclaimed, Keep him waiting until he is made submissive and is distressed, and then give him his gratuity. According to Samuel the Little, what would be an instance of rain falling on account of the merit of the community? - If they recited [the prayer].' He causeth the wind to blow', and the wind blew, and if they recited, 'He causeth the rain to fail, and rain fell. IT HAPPENED THAT THE RABBIS ORDAINED A FAST IN LYDIA etc. Should they not have recited the Hallel first? - Abaye and Raba explained this to be because the Hallel is recited
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