What is the order [of service] for fast days? They would bring out the Ark to the town square and place ashes upon the Ark, the head of the Nassi, and the head of the Chief of the Court, and everyone [else] places [ashes] upon his [own] head.  The eldest among them would preach words of inspiration before them: “Our brethren, it is not stated regarding the people of Nineveh: And God saw their sackcloth and their fasting, but [rather]: And God saw their deeds, that they repented their evil ways. And in the admonition he states: Now rend your hearts and not your clothing.”

They [then] began to pray.  They send before the Ark a well-versed elder, who has children and whose house is empty, so that his heart should be fully [devoted] in prayer. He recites before them twenty-four blessings: the eighteen which are [recited] every day, and six more which are added.

And they are as follows: Zichronos, Shofaros; To Hashem in my distress I called and He answered me; I shall lift my eyes to the mountains etc.; From the depths have I called You, Hashem; A prayer of the afflicted when he faints.  R' Yehudah says: He was not obligated to say Zichronos and Shofaros. But in their place he says: If there be a famine in the land, if there be a pestilence etc.; and The word of Hashem which came to Jeremiah regarding the droughts. He then says their [proper] endings.

After the first he says: “He Who answered Abraham on Mount Moriah, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who redeems Israel.”  After the second he says: “He Who answered our forefathers at the Sea of Reeds, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who remembers the forgotten.”  After the third he says: “He Who answered Joshua in Gilgal, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who hearkens to the sounding of the shofar.”  After the fourth he says: “He Who answered Samuel in Mizpah, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who hearkens to a cry.”  After the fifth he says: “He Who answered Elijah on Mount Carmel, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who hearkens to prayer.”  After the sixth he says: “He Who answered Jonah from the fish's belly, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed >are You, Hashem, Who answers in time of distress.”  After the seventh he says: “He Who answered David and his son Solomon in Jerusalem, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who has mercy on the land.”

It happened in the days of R' Chalafta and R' Chananyah ben Teradyon that one went before the Ark and completed the entire blessing, but they did not respond Amen after the blessing.  “Sound the tekiah, O Kohanim, sound the tekiah.” “He Who answered our father Abraham on Mount Moriah, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day.” “Sound the teruah, O sons of Aaron, sound the teruah.” “He Who answered our forefathers at the Red Sea, He shall answer you and hearken to the sound of your cry this day.”  When the matter came before the Sages, they said: Such was not our custom except at the Eastern Gate and on the Temple Mount.

On the first three fast days, the Kohanim of the mishmar fast but do not complete [their fast]; the Kohanim of the beis av do not fast at all. On the second three [fast days], the Kohanim of the mishmar fast and complete [their fast]; the Kohanim of the beis av fast but do not complete [their fast]. On the last seven [fast days], both groups fast and complete [their fast]; this is the opinion of R' Yehoshua.  But the Sages say: On the first three fast days neither group fasts at all. On the second three [fast days], the Kohanim of the mishmar fast but do not complete [their fast], and the Kohanim of the beis av do not fast at all. On the last seven [fast days], the Kohanim of the mishmar fast and complete [their fast], and the Kohanim of the beis av fast but do not complete [their fast].

The Kohanim of the mishmar are permitted to drink wine at night, but not during the day; the Kohanim of the beis av [are] not [permitted to drink wine] during the day or during the night.  The Kohanim of the mishmar and the men of the maamad are prohibited from haircutting and laundering. However, on Thursday these [activities] are permitted, in honor of the Sabbath.

Whenever it is written in the Scroll of Fasts, “Not to eulogize [on a particular day],” [on the day] before it [fasting] is forbidden; [on the day] after it [fasting] is permitted.  R' Yose says: [Both] before and after it [fasting] is forbidden.  [Concerning days about which it is written in the Scroll of Fasts,] “Not to fast on them,” [both] before and after them [fasting] is permitted.  R' Yose says: Before them [fasting] is forbidden; after them [fasting] is permitted.

We may not decree upon the community a [series of] fast[s] commencing on Thursday, so as not to cause a rise in the market prices. Rather, the first three fasts are on Monday, Thursday, and Monday; the second three, on Thursday, Monday, and Thursday.  R' Yose says: Just as the first [three fasts] are not [to commence] on Thursday, so too, neither the second [three fasts] nor the final [seven fasts may commence on Thursday].

We may not decree a community fast on Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, or Purim; however, if they had [already] commenced [a series of fasts], they may not interrupt [it]. This is the opinion of Rabban Gamliel.  R' Meir says: Although Rabban Gamliel said, they may not interrupt [the series], he agrees that they should not complete [the fast].  The same is true of Tishah B'Av which falls on the eve of the Sabbath.