Shabbat

is in respect of making [its] plants fit [to become unclean]?  — In all respects, answered he, R. Simeon treats it as detached, but in the matter of uncleanness it is different, because the Torah extended [the scope of] cleanness in the case of plants [seeds], for it is said, [And if aught of their carcase fall] upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, [it is clean]. A certain old man asked R. Zera: If the root is over against the hole, what is R. Simeon's ruling then?  He was silent and answered him nought. On a [subsequent] occasion he found him sitting and teaching: Yet R. Simeon admits that if it is perforated to the extent of making it clean, [there is culpability].  Said he to him, Seeing that I asked you about a root that is over against the perforation and you gave me no reply. can there be a doubt concerning [a pot that is] perforated to the extent of making it clean?  Abaye observed: If this [dictum] of R. Zera was stated, it was stated thus: Yet R. Simeon agrees that if it is perforated below [the capacity of] a rebi'ith, [there is culpability]. Raba said: There are five principles in the case of an earthen utensil: [i] If it has a perforation sufficient [only] for a liquid to run out, it is clean in that it cannot be defiled when already a mutilated vessel,  yet it is still a utensil in respect of sanctifying the water of lustration therein.  [ii] If it has a perforation sufficient for a liquid to run in,  it is 'clean' in respect of sanctifying the water of lustration therein,  yet it is still a utensil to render its plants fit [to become unclean].  [iii] If it has a perforation as large as a small root, it is 'clean' in respect of making its plants fit [to become defiled], yet it is still a utensil in that it can hold olives.  [iv] If it has a perforation large enough to allow olives to fall out, it is clean in that it cannot hold olives, yet it is still a utensil to contain pomegranates.  [v] If t has a perforation large enough to allow pomegranates to fall through, it is clean in respect of all things.  But if it is closed with an airtight lid — [it ranks as a utensil] unless the greater portion thereof is broken. R. Assi said: I have heard that the standard of an earthen vessel is [a hole] large enough to allow a pomegranate to fall out.  Said Raba to him: Perhaps you heard [this] Only of [a vessel] closed with a tight-fitting lid!  But it was Raba himself who said: If it is closed with a tight-fitting lid, [it ranks as a utensil] unless the greater portion thereof is broken? — There is no difficulty: