Maimonides

1When three lugim of drawn water fall into a mikveh—whether from one k’li or from two or three keilim—they can be combinedNote the parallel in Hilchot Sha’ar Avot HaTum’ah 9:2. to reach a quantity that disqualifies the mikveh, provided the water begins de...

1According to Scriptural Law, it is permissible to immerseA person — and also a k’li. in any collected body of water, as implied by Leviticus 11:36: “a gathering of water,”The commentaries note that frequently the Talmud (Chagigah 11a, et al.) cites the s...

1These are the substances that intervene with regard to the immersion of keilim: Pitch, mortar, and the like. When tar is on a cup or a bottle,The Rambam alters the wording of his source, Mikveot 9:5, which mentions these substances adhering to a glass ut...

1These are the substances that intervene for a person:I.e., are considered as objectionable and hence disqualify an immersion. the secretion outside the eye,The fluid that collects on the eyelashes and in the comers of the eyes [the Rambam’s Commentary to...

The Laws of Mikvaot Included in this text is one positive commandment: that all impure individuals should immerse themselves in a mikveh and then regain purity. This mitzvah is explained in the ensuing chapters. 1All impure entities—whether humans or keil...

1Whenever the external surface of a k’li that has a receptacle contracts impurity from liquids,See Chapter 13, Halachah 4, and Hilchot Sha’ar Avot HaTum’ah 7:3.If the outer surface of the k’li contracts impurity from a primary source of Scriptural impurit...

1There are types of three chests:This chapter—like its source, Keilim, ch. 24—focuses on sets of three, describing several keilim of which there are three types: a) one that people lie or sit upon and which is therefore susceptible to midras impurity; b) ...

1The following rules apply to wooden keilim that are fit—to serve as supportsIn his Commentary to the Mishnah (Keilim 20:5), the Rambam explains that this refers to a thick piece of wood with two legs, thus appearing somewhat like a chair and hence fit to...

1All flat wooden implements made to sit, lie, or ride upon are susceptible to midras impurity,Since they do not have a receptacle, they are not susceptible to other forms of impurity according to Scriptural Law. Nevertheless, according to Rabbinic Law, th...

1These are the hidesI.e., hides that have been designated for a specific purpose, but little has been done to adapt them for that purpose. that can contract the impurity associated with the support of a zav (midras):A hide is not susceptible to midras imp...