9. The order of blowing the trumpet is, three blasts blown thrice. The measure of the blast is as six alarms. The measure of the alarm is as three shrieks. If one blew the first and prolonged the blast for the second to be as two, it reckons but as one. He who has said the blessings, and afterward a trumpet is given to him, must blow a blast, an alarm, and a blast three times. As the minister of the congregation is bound, so is each individual bound. R. Gamaliel says, “the minister of the congregation releases the public from their obligations.” On Fasting When Rain is to be Prayed for—Proclamations for Fasting—Ceremonial of Fasting—Prayers—Blowing of Trumpets—R. Gamaliel and R. Meier—Sign of Famine—Partial Rain—Pestilence—Story of Hone Hammeagal—Lifting Up of Hands—Deputies—Bringing Wood—Five Things Happened in Tammuz and Five in Ab—Mortifications—Rejoicings. Chapter I 1. “When do we remember in prayer the heavy rain?” Rabbi Eleazar said, “from the first holiday of the feast (of tabernacles),” Rabbi Joshua said, “from the last holiday of the feast.” To him said Rabbi Joshua, “when the rain is no mark of blessing in the feast, why should one remember it?” Said Rabbi Eleazar to him, “even I did not say to ask for it, but to remember the blowing of the wind, and the descent of the rain in its season.” He replied to him, “if so, one can remember it always.” 2. We ask for rain only near to the season of rains. Rabbi Judah said,(315) “he who passes last before the ark on the last holiday of the feast of tabernacles remembers it; the first does not remember it. On the first holiday of the passover the first remembers it, the last does not remember it.” How long do we ask for rain? Rabbi Judah said, “till the passover be ended.” Rabbi Meier said, “till Nisan depart,(316) as is said,(317) ‘And He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.’ ” 3. On the third day of Marchesvan(318) we ask for the rain. Rabban Gamaliel said, “on the seventh, fifteen days after the feast, that the last Israelite returning home from the feast may reach the river Euphrates.” 4. “If the seventeenth day of Marchesvan arrive, and the rain does not come down?” “Men of eminence begin to fast for three days. They may eat and drink by night. And they may work, and wash, and anoint themselves, and put on their sandals, and use their couches.” 5. “If the first day of the month Chislev(319) arrive, and the rain does not come down?” “The tribunal proclaims three fast-days(320) for the congregation. Persons may, however, eat and drink by night. And they may work, and wash, and anoint themselves, and put on their sandals, and use their couches.”