Musar 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.14 R'Judah the Prince15 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

Orchot Tzadikim

The modest person has charm, as it is said: "And He gives grace to the humble" (Prov. 3:34). The prayer of the modest person is received before the Holy One, Blessed be He, for he, the modest person, is always generous and waives his claims against others. And it is because of this that the prayer of Rabbi Akiba was received when he began, "Our Father, our King" as is commented upon in Ta'anith 25b. The modest man merits increasing wisdom, for he is humble in the presence of the wise and sits at their feet, as it is said: "He that walks with wise men shall be wise" (Prov. 13:20). Heaven has mercy upon the humble person, as it is said: "He who confesses his wrongs and forsakes them shall obtain mercy" (Prov. 28:13).

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