Chagigah

— But it is taught: R. Judah said: Meir used to say: One may immerse in the top one, but I say: [One may immerse only] in the bottom one, but not in the top one! He1 replied: If it is [expressly] taught, it is taught.2 IF ONE BATHED FOR UNCONSECRATED [FOOD] AND INTENDED TO BE RENDERED FIT SOLELY FOR UNCONSECRATED [FOOD] etc. According to whom will our Mishnah be? — [Presumably] it is according to the Rabbis, who distinguish between unconsecrated [food] and [Second] Tithe.3 — But [then] how will you understand the second part [of the Mishnah]? THE GARMENTS OF AN ‘AM HA-AREZ POSSESS MIDRAS-UNCLEANNESS FOR PHARISEES; THE GARMENTS OF PHARISEES POSSESS MIDRAS-UNCLEANNESS FOR THOSE WHO EAT TERUMAH:4 this will be according to R. Meir, who said that unconsecrated [food] and [Second] Tithe are [in this respect] the same. Thus the first part [of the Mishnah] will be according to the Rabbis and the second part according to R. Meir! — Indeed, the first part [of the Mishnah] is according to the Rabbis and the second part according to R. Meir. R. Aha b. Adda teaches [also] in the second part [of the Mishnah] five degrees5 and attributes it all to the Rabbis. R. Mari said: It follows that unconsecrated [food] which was prepared according to the purity of hallowed things6 is like hallowed things. Whence [is this to be inferred]? — those who eat terumah. the purity required by hallowed things, so that his household should be well-trained in the vigilance necessary for the higher degree of purity.