Study Taanit folio 30A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
מ״חגה״. ומאן דאמר כולו אסור — מ״חדשה״, ומאן דאמר כל השבת כולה אסור — מ״שבתה״.
derives from the phrase “her Festival” that acts of mirth and rejoicing are prohibited from Rosh Chodesh, which is considered like a Festival. And the one who said that these activities are prohibited during the entire month learns this from the phrase “her New Moon.” And the one who said that acts of rejoicing are prohibited during the entire week of the 9th of Av, derives this from the phrase “her Shabbat,” which also means a week.
אמר רבא: הלכה כרבן שמעון בן גמליאל. ואמר רבא: הלכה כרבי מאיר. ותרוייהו לקולא, וצריכא. דאי אשמועינן הלכה כרבי מאיר, הוה אמינא: אפילו מראש חדש, קמשמע לן הלכה כרבן שמעון בן גמליאל.
With regard to the halakha itself, Rava said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel. And Rava also said that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Meir. The Talmud remarks: And both of these rulings are intended as a leniency. And it is necessary for Rava to state both rulings, for had he taught us only that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Meir, I would have said that the mourning practices are obligatory even from Rosh Chodesh, as maintained by R' Meir. Therefore, Rava teaches us that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, that the restrictions of mourning do not apply until the week of the 9th of Av.
ואי אשמועינן הלכה כרבן שמעון בן גמליאל, הוה אמינא: אפילו לאחריו, קמשמע לן הלכה כרבי מאיר.
And had he taught us only that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, I would have said that the prohibitions apply even after the fast, until the end of the week. Consequently, Rava teaches us that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Meir. The prohibitions apply only until the 9th of Av itself, not afterward.