Bekhorot

— In order to make known that the mother is exempted from [the law of] the firstling. Does not this mean to say that it is a genuine embryo? Then why does it not make unclean by contact nor make the carrier unclean? — R. Johanan answered: Because the principle of neutralisation by the larger portion is applied here.1 And R. Johanan is in agreement here with the opinion he expressed elsewhere. For R. Johanan said: R. Eliezer b. Jacob and R. Simeon made similar statements. What is the statement of R. Eliezer b. Jacob? — That which we have learnt [in our Mishnah above]. What is R. Simeon's statement? — As we have learnt: If there is an after-birth2 in a house, the house is unclean. Not that the after-birth is considered an embryo, only because there cannot be an after-birth without an embryo.3 But R. Simeon says: The embryo was mashed before it came forth.4 We have learnt elsewhere: The opening of the uterus5 for untimely births is not until the embryo [on leaving the uterus] forms a round head like a coil. What kind of coil does this mean? — Like a coil of wool. Said Hiyya b. Rab to R. Huna: Did Rabbi explain whether the coil of wool containing warp6 or containing woof is meant?7 — He replied to him: It has been taught:8 The coil of the warp. These are the words of R. Meir. R. Judah says: The coil of the woof. R. Eliezer b. Zadok says: From the time when the ring-like formations [at the mouth of the vagina] are visible.9 What are the ring-like formations like? — Rab Judah reported in the name of Samuel in behalf of R. Eliezer son of R. Zadok: In Jerusalem they used to explain it in this manner. Like a mule which bends to urinate,10 and it has the appearance of a coil coming forth out of a coil. Said R. Huna: I learnt two sizes of coils, one of the warp and the other of the woof, and I am unable to explain.11 When R. Dimi came, [from Palestine], he reported in the name of R. Johanan: I learnt of three sizes of coils, one of the warp, another of the woof and one large coil, and again another of the sack-carriers, and I am unable to explain.11 When R. Abin came [from Palestine] he explained this in the name of R. Johanan. In the case of a woman, the coil is like a warp.12 In the case of an animal, the size of the coil is like the woof.13 As to a large-size coil of the sack-carriers, it is as we have learnt. A clod [of clay] from a beth ha-peras14 or a clod of imported clay15 must have the size of the great seal of the sack-carriers which is like the seal of leather bags. And of the same size is the top part16 of the stopper of the Bethlehem wine jug.17 Resh Lakish reported in the name of R. Judah the Prince: He who buys brine from an ‘am ha-arez18 must bring it in contact with water19 and it is then levitically clean. For in either case if the larger portion [of the brine] is water,20 since he brings it in contact with water,21 he has cleaned it; and if the larger part is brine, brine is not susceptible to levitical uncleanness.22 The only doubtful element is that small quantity of water [in the brine]23 and this is neutralized in the larger portion of the brine. Said R. Jeremiah: This has been laid down only with regard to dipping bread in it but, for cooking purposes, the brine is not permitted,24 since like attracts like and the uncleanness is aroused.25 R. Dimi was once sitting and repeating this statement of R. Jeremiah: Said Abaye to him: Can levitical uncleanness, once neu tralized, be aroused again? — He replied to him: And do you not hold that this is reasonable? Have we not learnt: If a se'ah 26 of unclean terumah27 has fallen the latter is not susceptible of levitical uncleanness. mashed — and so neutralized — until after it came forth. principle of the greater proportion of blood etc., neutralizing the embryo before it came forth. embryo did not come forth in that house but in another, the first house is unclean, as if it had been born there, for impurity breaks through. v. Oh. VII. uterus that the embryo should form a round head like a coil, the former holds that even if it had not formed a round head but in the period of travailing had reached the stage when ring-like formations were visible, indicating the passage of the embryo's head, we regard it as the opening of the uterus. animal, and the shepherd stretched his hand inside, he does not receive levitical uncleanness. customs relating to impurity. surface of the water into which it is dipped. This is a form of purification. and other liquids. brine and this method of purification does not apply to food. neutralize the brine, and make the latter unclean.