Rosh Hashanah 18: God's Curse for Generation (or: The Power of Torah and Chesed)

Is one's judgement or sentence mutable? The Tannaim dispute this - in a concrete way, regarding two people who had the same circumstances, yet one was saved and the other was not. What was the difference between them? Perhaps the way they prayed. Perhaps the timing of the decree against them. Plus, the same concerns for the collective, as compared to the individual. Also, a decree against Eli's descendants... How it was averted and when it was not. Also, the new mishnah - moving on with the calendar, and how Rosh Chodesh was established. Plus, the fast days, as established in the wake of Rosh Chodesh. And What's What: Megilat Taanit. Plus, a fast day on Chanukah!