tractate Taanis takes its name from the Hebrew word meaning fast day, Most of the tractate speaks of fasts that a community must observe when faced with disaster. If a tragedy, such as famine or disease, is looming, the amunity is Biblically obligated to pray and sound trumpets. There is also abbinic obligation to fast. The purpose of these laws is to show ourselves others that punishment comes from Heaven and thus it is only through intance and prayer that the danger can be averted. the beginning of Hilchos Taaniyos 1:1-4, Rambam expresses these ideas allows: