Nazir

Rammi b. Hama asked: is there [transference of defilement through] a jet in the case of foodstuffs,  or does [transference of defilement through] a jet not apply to foodstuffs? Do we say [that the principle applies to thick honey and batter] because they contain liquor,  whereas [foodstuffs] contain no liquor,  or is it perhaps because they are compact masses  and [foodstuffs] are also compact masses?  — Raba replied: Come and hear: A whole piece of fat  from a corpse, if melted, remains unclean, but if it was in pieces  and they were melted, it remains clean.  Now if you assume [that the principle of transference of defilement through] a jet does not apply to foodstuffs, [then even if it be] whole and then melted it should become clean!  — R. Zera commented: I and Mar, son of Rabina, interpreted [the above teaching as follows]: It refers to where at the time of melting, the column of fire ascended to the mouth of the vessel  and [the fat] coagulated whilst it was all together. Rabina said to R. Ashi: Come and hear [the following]: Beth Shammai say: Also one of a porridge of grist or of beans, because [at the end of its flow] it springs back!  — What does this prove? In the other cases  it may be the fact that they are compact masses [which causes defilement] though here it is because of the liquor. OR A LADLEFUL OF CORPSE-MOULD: And what is its size? — Hezekiah said: The palm of the hand full. R. Johanan said: The hollow of the hand  full. It has been taught: The [measure of the] ladleful of corpsemould mentioned is, from the bottom of the fingers upwards.  So R. Meir. The Sages say [it means] the hollow of the hand full.  Now R. Johanan at least agrees with the Rabbis; but with whom does Hezekiah agree, neither with R. Meir, nor with the Rabbis? — I will tell you. The palm of the hand full and from the joints of the fingers upwards is the same measure.  R. Shimi b. Adda said to R. Papa: How is it known that 'from the joints of the fingers and upwards' means towards the tips? Perhaps it means lower down the hand  when [the measure] is the palm of the hand full?  This was not solved.