Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes Ezra’s response to the dire spiritual situation of his time. As detailed in Ezra chapter 9, intermarriage and assimilation was rampant. The verses indicate that Ezra’s prayers began only mincha time, while earlier in the day he was involved with gathering the people together for introspection. Our Gemara uses this as a defense for the position that on a public fast day there would be no time for the regular Torah reading.
I think there is an important lesson within the sequence of Ezra’s process. As told in the scripture, Ezra was given commission and authority by the government to return to Yerushalayim and rebuild the Beis HaMikdash, and he invites many Jews to return with him to the Holy Land (chapters 1-8):
- He then learns of the deep assimilation, intermarriage and idolatry (chapter 9).
- He then spends time in quiet, desolate contemplation and fasting (9:3-4).
- Then Ezra prays at Mincha time asking God for forgiveness (9:5-15)
- Finally in chapter 10 the people become emotionally aroused and come around to public repentance.
This is an important lesson in how to respond to communal religious lapses. The first course of action is not to rebuke directly nor is it even time to fast yet. First comes reflection and grieving about the situation, then fasting, then prayer. Only after all that, do the people “suddenly” become awakened to their sins. When things go wrong in our families or our communities it is easy to become activated and start criticizing first. I think Ezra’s reaction was more psychologically nuanced and yielded better results.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation 
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