Parallel
חולין 127:1
Soncino English Talmud · Berean Standard Bible
The text therefore teaches: That creep signifies, wherever it creeps [it renders unclean]. But perhaps it is not so but that the expression ‘that creep’ signifies, all that breed can render unclean, but those that do not breed cannot render unclean, and so I would exclude the mouse which is half flesh and half earth since it does not breed. There is, however, a good argument [against this]: [Scripture] declared the weasel unclean and the mouse unclean, therefore as the weasel refers to all that bear the name weasel, so the mouse refers to all that bear the name mouse, and [in this way] I include the mouse which is half flesh and half earth. Or you might argue in this way: As the weasel breeds so the mouse [includes all species that] breed, [and so I would exclude the mouse which is half flesh and half earth]! The text therefore teaches. Among the creeping things. A certain Rabbi said to Raba: Perhaps the expression ‘among the creeping things’ includes the mouse which is half flesh and half earth, and the expression ‘that creep’ signifies all that creep, thus including the sea-mouse, and as for the expression ‘upon the earth’, it would be interpreted as follows: While upon earth it can render unclean, but if it went down into the sea it cannot render anything unclean? — He replied: Since you regard the sea as a place of uncleanness, then it is all one, whether here or there. But is not the expression ‘upon the earth’ required to exclude a floating uncleanness where there is a doubt [concerning contact]? For R. Isaac b. Abdimi stated: The expression ‘upon the earth’ excludes a floating uncleanness concerning which there is a doubt! — ‘Upon the earth’ is written twice. Our Rabbis taught: The toad after its kind, includes the ‘arod, the ben-nephilin, and the salamander. When R. Akiba read this verse he used to say: ‘How manifold are Thy works, O Lord! Thou hast creatures that live in the sea and Thou hast creatures that live upon the dry land; if those of the sea were to come up upon the dry land they would straightway die, and if those of the dry land were to go down into the sea they would straightway die. Thou hast creatures that live in fire and Thou hast creatures that live in the air; if those of the fire were to come up into the air they would straightway die, and if those of the air were to go down into the fire they would straightway die. How manifold are Thy works, O Lord!’ Our Rabbis taught: Every creature that is on the dry land is also to be found in the sea, excepting the weasel. R. Zera said: Where is there proof for this from Scripture? Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world. R. Huna the son of R. Joshua said. The beavers around Naresh are not land [creatures]. R. Papa said. The ban upon Naresh, its fat, its hide, and its tail! O Land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord. Said R. Papa. Yet the inhabitants of Naresh would not hear the word of the Lord. R. Giddal said in the name of Rab, If an inhabitant of Naresh has kissed you then count your teeth. If a man of Nehar Pekod accompanies you it is because of the fine garments he sees on you. If a Pumbedithan accompanies you then change your quarters. R. Huna b. Torta said: I once went to Wa'ad and saw a snake wrapped round a toad; after some days there came forth an ‘arod from between them. When I came before R. Simeon the pious, [and related this to him,] he said to me: The Holy One, blessed be He, said: They have produced a new creature which I had not created into my world, I too will bring upon them a creature which I had not created in my world. (But has not a Master said, All creatures whose manner of copulation is the same and whose period of gestation is the same can bear young from each other and suckle each other, but all creatures whose manner of copulation is not the same and whose period of gestation is not the same cannot bear young from each other nor suckle each other? — Rab said: It was a miracle within a miracle. But this is for chastisement! — It was a micracle within a miracle even for chastisement!) MISHNAH. LIMBS OR PIECES OF FLESH WHICH HANG LOOSE FROM THE [LIVING] ANIMAL ARE RENDERED UNCLEAN IN RESPECT OF FOOD UNCLEANNESS WHILST THEY ARE IN THEIR PLACE. AND REQUIRE TO BE RENDERED SUSCEPTIBLE TO UNCLEANNESS.32
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