Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day - Daily Torah Study

1All accessories1 of keilim are considered as the k’li itself. If the k’li contracts impurity, an accessory that is required to enable it to be used also contracts impurity.2 If the accessory is not required to enable it to be used, it is pure, as will be explained.3אכָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים, הֲרֵי הֵן כַּכֵּלִים. וְאִם נִטְמָא הַכְּלִי, נִטְמְאָה יָדוֹ הַצָּרִיךְ לָהּ בְּתַשְׁמִישׁוֹ; וְשֶׁאֵין צָרִיךְ לָהּ - טָהוֹר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר.

Therefore when a stone protrudes a handbreadth from an oven or three fingerbreadths from a range with a place for two pots, it is considered as connected.4 Hence, if the oven or the range contract impurity, these stones also do.לְפִיכָךְ הָאֶבֶן הַיּוֹצֵאת מִן הַתַּנּוּר טֶפַח, וּמִן הַכִּירָה שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת - חִבּוּר; וְאִם נִטְמָא הַתַּנּוּר וְהַכִּירָה, נִטְמְאוּ אֲבָנִים אֵלּוּ.

If foods or liquids touch these stones, they contract impurity. If they touch a place that is beyond a handbreadth from an oven or beyond three fingerbreadths from a range, they are pure.5וְאֹכָלִין וּמַשְׁקִין הַנּוֹגְעִין בַּאֲבָנִים אֵלּוּ, נִטְמְאוּ; וְאִם נָגְעוּ בְּחוּץ לְטֶפַח שֶׁל תַּנּוּר, אוֹ בְּחוּץ לְשָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת שֶׁל כִּירָה - טְהוֹרִין.

2When a range with a place for one pot was made for baking, the measure is the same as that of an oven. If it was made for cooking, the measure is the same as that of a range.בהַכֻּפָּח - עֲשָׂאָהוּ לַאֲפִיָּה, שִׁעוּרוֹ כַּתַּנּוּר; עֲשָׂאָהוּ לְבִשּׁוּל, שִׁעוּרוֹ כַּכִּירָה.

3With regard to the extra layer of earth placed on top of an oven:6 that of homeowners is pure; that of bakers is susceptible to impurity like the oven is, because it is used as support for a spit.גמוּסַף הַתַּנּוּר שֶׁל בַּעֲלֵי בָתִּים, טָהוֹר; וְשֶׁל נַחְתּוֹמִין - טָמֵא בְּטֻמְאַת הַתַּנּוּר, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁסּוֹמֵךְ עָלָיו אֶת הַשְּׁפוּד.

A similar law: an addition built around a pot used by those who cook olives is impure.7 One used by dyers is pure.8כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ, מוּסַף יוֹרָה שֶׁל שׁוֹלְקֵי זֵיתִים, טָמֵא; וְשֶׁל צַבָּעִים, טָהוֹר.

4The “crown” of a range9 is pure.10 The following laws apply to the tira of an oven, i.e., a place built at the side of an oven where a loaf is placed when it is removed from the oven. If it is four handbreadths high, it contracts impurity together with the oven. If it is less than four handbreadths high, it is pure, because it is not connected to the oven.11דעֲטֶרֶת הַכִּירָה טְהוֹרָה. וְטִירַת הַתַּנּוּר, וְהוּא הַמָּקוֹם הַבָּנוּי בְּצִדּוֹ שֶׁמַּנִּיחִין בּוֹ אֶת הַפַּת בְּעֵת רְדִיָּתָהּ: בִּזְמַן שֶׁהִיא גְבוֹהָה אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים, טְמֵאָה בְּטֻמְאַת הַתַּנּוּר; פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים - טָהוֹר, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ חִבּוּר לוֹ.

If it was connected to the oven,12 even on three stones,13 it can contract impurity.וְאִם חִבְּרָהּ לַתַּנּוּר, אֲפִלּוּ עַל שָׁלֹשׁ אֲבָנִים - טְמֵאָה.

5The following laws apply to a place at the side of a range for a cruse of oil to be stored, for spices to be stored, or for a lamp to be placed.14 If the range contracted impurity by contact with a source of impurity,15 all of the above also contract impurity. If the range contracts impurity due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space, they do not contract impurity, because they are considered as joined to the range only by Rabbinic decree. Therefore our Sages made a distinction in this regard, so that terumah and sacrificial food that come in contact with it should not be burnt.16הבֵּית הַפַּךְ וּבֵית הַתְּבָלִין וּבֵית הַנֵּר שֶׁבַּכִּירָה: אִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה בַּמַּגָּע, נִטְמְאוּ כֻלָּן; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר, לֹא נִטְמְאוּ, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָן חִבּוּר לָהּ אֶלָּא מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים, וּלְפִיכָךְ עָשׂוּ לָהּ הֶכֵּר זֶה כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׂרְפוּ עַל מַגָּעָן תְּרוּמָה וְקָדָשִׁים.

Similarly, any object concerning which it is stated that it contracts impurity through contact with a source of impurity, but it does not contract impurity due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space is considered as connected to an object that is fully susceptible to ritual impurity only according to Rabbinic Law. A distinction was made in its regard so that consecrated foods should not be burnt because of it, but instead, they should be held in abeyance.17וְכֵן כֹּל שֶׁאָנוּ אוֹמְרִין בְּעִנְיָן זֶה שֶׁהוּא מִתְטַמֵּא בַּמַּגָּע וְאֵינוֹ מִתְטַמֵּא בָּאֲוִיר - אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר אֶלָּא מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם, וְעָשׂוּ לוֹ הֶכֵּר זֶה כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׂרְפוּ עָלָיו קָדָשִׁים, אֶלָּא תּוֹלִין.

6The open space in front of a range18 is considered as joined to the range when it is elevated three fingerbreadths above the ground. If either the range or its open space contracts impurity either due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space or through contact with a source of impurity, the other entity also contracts impurity.וחֲצַר הַכִּירָה - בִּזְמַן שֶׁהִיא גְבוֹהָה שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת, הֲרֵי זוֹ חִבּוּר; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה אוֹ חֲצֵרָהּ, בֵּין בָּאֲוִיר בֵּין בַּמַּגָּע - נִטְמָא הַשְּׁנִיָּה.

If the open space was lower than that and one contracted impurity through contact with a source of impurity, the other entity also contracts impurity. If, however, one contracts impurity only due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space, the other entity is not impure.19 The rationale is that it is only considered as connected according to Rabbinic decree.הָיְתָה הֶחָצֵר פְּחוּתָה מִכַּאן, וְנִטְמֵאת אַחַת מֵהֶן בַּמַּגָּע - נִטְמֵאת הַשְּׁנִיָּה; אֲבָל אִם נִטְמֵאת אַחַת מֵהֶן מֵאֲוִירָהּ בִּלְבָד - אֵין חֲבֶרְתָּהּ טְמֵאָה, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ חִבּוּר לָהּ אֶלָּא מִדְּבְרֵיהֶם.

When the open space in front of a range was separate from it, when it is three fingerbreadths high, it is considered as joined to the range, both with regard to impurity stemming from contact with a source of impurity or the impurity that arises due to the presence of impurity in its inner space. If it was lower than this or the open space was flat and did not have a border, it is not considered as joined to the range. If the range contracts impurity—whether due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space or through contact with a source of impurity—the open space is pure. Conversely, if the open space contracts impurity, the range is pure.הָיְתָה חֲצַר הַכִּירָה מֻפְרֶשֶׁת מִמֶּנָּה - בִּזְמַן שֶׁהִיא גְבוֹהָה שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת, הֲרֵי זוֹ חִבּוּר לָהּ, בֵּין לְטֻמְאַת מַגָּע בֵּין לְטֻמְאַת אֲוִיר. הָיְתָה פָּחוֹת מִכַּאן, אוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה הֶחָצֵר חֲלָקָה וְאֵין לָהּ שָׂפָה - אֵין חִבּוּר לָהּ; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה, בֵּין מֵאֲוִירָהּ בֵּין בַּמַּגָּע - הֶחָצֵר טְהוֹרָה; וְכֵן אִם נִטְמֵאת הֶחָצֵר, הַכִּירָה טְהוֹרָה.

7The following laws apply with regard to trivets on which a pot is placed on a range.20 If each of them was three fingerbreadths high or less, if the range contracts impurity—whether through contact with a source of impurity or due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space all three contract impurity.21 Similar laws apply if there are four protrusions on which a pot is placed.זפִּטְפּוּטֵי כִירָה, שְׁלֹשָׁה; הָיָה גֹבַהּ כָּל אֶחָד מֵהֶן שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת אוֹ פָחוֹת - אִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה בֵּין בַּמַּגָּע בֵּין בָּאֲוִיר, נִטְמְאוּ שְׁלָשְׁתָּן. וְכֵן אִם הָיוּ אַרְבָּעָה.

If one of the protrusions of the trivet is removed, a slight leniency is granted. If the range contracts impurity from contact with a source of impurity, the two remaining protrusions also contract impurity. But if the range contracts impurity due to the presence of impurity in its inner space, the protrusions do not contract impurity.נִטַּל אֶחָד מֵהֶן: אִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה בַּמַּגָּע, נִטְמְאוּ שְׁנֵי הַפִּטְפּוּטִים שֶׁנִּשְׁאֲרוּ; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר, לֹא נִטְמְאוּ עִמָּהּ.

If at the outset only two protrusions—one opposite the other- were made to support a pot on a range, similar laws apply. If the range contracts impurity from contact with a source of impurity, the protrusions also contract impurity. But if the range contracts impurity due to the presence of impurity in its inner space, the protrusions do not contract impurity.22עָשָׂה לָהּ שְׁנֵי הַפִּטְפּוּטִים זֶה כְּנֶגֶד זֶה: אִם נִטְמֵאת הַכִּירָה בַּמַּגָּע, נִטְמְאוּ; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר, לֹא נִטְמְאוּ.

When the trivet was more than three fingerbreadths high, the portions that are three fingerbreadths high and lower contract impurity together with the range whether through contact with a source of impurity or due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space. The portions higher than three fingerbreadths contract impurity together with the range if it contracts impurity through contact with a source of impurity. If, however, it contracts impurity due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space, it does not contract impurity with it.הָיוּ הַפִּטְפּוּטִים גְּבוֹהִין: מִשָּׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת וּלְמַטָּה מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ, בֵּין שֶׁנִּטְמֵאת בַּמַּגָּע בֵּין שֶׁנִּטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר; וּמִשָּׁלֹשׁ וּלְמַעְלָה מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ, אִם נִטְמֵאת בַּמַּגָּע - אֲבָל אִם נִטְמֵאת מֵאֲוִירָהּ בִּלְבָד, אֵין מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ.

If the protrusions are removed from the rim of the range,23 when they are located within three fingerbreadths of the rim, they contract impurity together with the range whether through contact with a source of impurity or due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space. When they are located beyond three fingerbreadths from the rim, they contract impurity together with the range if it contracts impurity through contact with a source of impurity. If, however, it contracts impurity due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space, the protrusions do not contract impurity with it. We are not extremely meticulous with regard to these measurements,24 for they are all of Rabbinic origin.25הָיוּ מְשׁוּכִין מִן הַשָּׂפָה בְּתוֹךְ שָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת - מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ, בֵּין שֶׁנִּטְמֵאת בַּמַּגָּע בֵּין שֶׁנִּטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר. הָיוּ חוּץ לְשָׁלֹשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹת - מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ, אִם נִטְמֵאת בַּמַּגָּע; וְאִם נִטְמֵאת בָּאֲוִיר בִּלְבָד, אֵין מִתְטַמְּאִין עִמָּהּ. וְאֵין מְדַקְדְּקִין בְּכָל הַשִּׁעוּרִין הָאֵלּוּ, שֶׁכֻּלָּן הֵן מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים.

Footnotes

This is translating the Hebrew term yad, which literally means “hand,” often is used to refer to a handle, but as will be seen in this chapter is used to refer to an accessory of a k’li. See also Hilchot Tum’at Ochalin, ch. 5, which uses the term yad in a similar context, albeit in relation to produce. See also a parallel in Hilchot Parah Adumah 12:12.

In his Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 5:2; based on Chulin 118a), the Rambam states that this concept is derived from Leviticus 11:35 which states with regard to an oven: “It shall be impure for you.” That phrase is interpreted to mean: “for all your needs,” i.e., including an accessory to the oven that contributes to its functionality.
The Ma’aseh Rokeiach notes that from Chapter 20, Halachah 1, it appears that the converse is also true. If the accessory contracts impurity, the oven itself also contracts impurity.

See Chapter 20.

For if it was removed from the oven, the oven would lose its heat and not bake as effectively [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 5:2)]. Diagram

For a stone this far away does not contribute to the functionality of the oven.

The bracketed additions are based on the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 5:5).

There the Rambam states that it was common for them to build a large copper pot into the ground and to build a base around it so that if it boils over, the water will spill onto that addition.

Dyers will be careful that the water does not boil over to the base of earth and thus discolor the dye [Rav Ovadiah of Bartenura (Keilim 5:5)].

This is a structure built around the top of a range where pots can be placed to maintain their warmth [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 5:3)]. See also Chapter 15, Halachah 11.

10.

Because it is not considered as connected to the range [Rav Ovadiah of Bartenura (Keilim, op. cit.)].

11.

Its presence is not significant, because at that height, it would not be useful for placing bread upon it [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim, op. cit.)].

12.

By connecting it, the person indicated that he desired that the tira be considered as part of the oven (ibid.).

13.

The person arranged three stones at the side of the oven and positioned the tira on those stones (ibid.).

14.

Our translation of these terms is taken from the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (op. cit.).

15.

E. g., the carcass of a crawling animal (ibid.).

16.

For it is forbidden to destroy terumah or consecrated food purposelessly. Since according to Scriptural Law, these foods would be pure, destroying them would be considered as purposeless.

17.

They are neither eaten, nor burnt. Instead, they are left until they contract impurity of Scriptural origin or, in the case of sacrificial foods, the time when it is permitted to eat them passes and then they are burnt.

18.

Literally, “the courtyard of a range,” i.e., a structure built next to a range that is used to facilitate cooking on the range. See the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 7:3). As evident from the continuation of the halachah, generally, this space has a border which causes it to be considered as a receptacle.

19.

The Ra’avad differs with the Rambam slightly, explaining that if impurity is found above the open space in front of the range and it is opposite the opening of the range, the range also contracts impurity. Although the Kessef Mishneh justifies the Rambam’s ruling here, an interpretation similar to that advanced by the Ra’avad is found in the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (op. cit.:4). Both the Ma’aseh Rokeiach and the Merkevet HaMishneh explain that the Rambam did not necessarily retract his statements in his Commentary to the Mishneh. Here, he merely telescoped his wording, without explaining all the details.

20.

As the Rambam explains in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 5:11, 7:4), at the openings of the range where the pots are placed, there are three earthenware protrusions which support the pot.

21.

Because they are considered integral parts of the range.

22.

In his gloss to Keilim 7:5, Tosafot Yom Tov notes that the standard printed text of the mishnah states that such protrusions contract impurity together with the range whether it contracts impurity through contact with a source of impurity or due to the presence of a source of impurity in its inner space. He suggests that the Rambam had a different version of that text.

23.

I.e., the protrusions on which the pot rests are set back somewhat from the hole over which the pot is placed. Diagram

24.

Here, the Rambam does not mention to what degree imprecision is allowed for. As the Rambam explains in his Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 7:6), one should take the base of the range which is certainly more than three fingerbreadths wider than the opening of the range and measure the protrusions against it.

25.

Since the matter concerns a point of Rabbinic Law, a precise measurement is not required.

Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day

Kelim - Chapter 17

Kelim - Chapter 17

Quiz Yourself on Keilim Chapter 17