Study Taanit folio 18B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
as the rabbis decreed that in certain places one may read the Scroll of Esther on the 11th, 12th, or 13th of Adar, nevertheless, it is permitted to eulogize and fast on these days. The Talmud clarifies: When does this ruling apply? If we say that it applies to those in walled cities, who normally re
But isn’t it written in Megillat Ta’anit: The day of the 14th of Adar and the day of the 15th of Adar are the days of Purim, on which eulogizing is prohibited. And Rava said: Since these days are already mentioned in the Bible (Esther 9:18–19), it is necessary to state this halakha in Megillat Ta’a
The Talmud continues its explanation of the difficulty. But rather, the Mishnah must be referring to those who normally read on the 14th of Adar, but who read the Scroll of Esther early, on the 13th. However, it is already prohibited to fast on the 13th, as it is Nicanor’s Day, which is a commemo
Rather, isn’t the Mishnah referring to a case where they read the Scroll of Esther on the 11th of Adar, and nevertheless that Mishnah teaches that it is permitted to eulogize and fast on this day, despite the fact that it is the day before Trajan’s Day? The opinion in this unattributed Mishnah is no
The Talmud answers: No; the Mishnah is actually referring to those who normally read on the 14th, but who read it that year on the 12th of Adar. And with regard to that which you said, that it is Trajan’s Day, Trajan’s Day itself was annulled and is no longer celebrated, since Shemaya and his brot