(Mishnah): Anything less than three by three [Tefachim] that was revamped to plug up a bathhouse, for [a potholder to hold a pot while] emptying out the pot, or to clean the millstone, whether or not it is prepared (in a guarded place), it is Tamei. R. Eliezer says so;

R. Yehoshua says, whether it is prepared or not prepared, it is Tahor;

R. Akiva says, if it is prepared it is Tamei. If it is not prepared, it is Tahor.

Question: What is "whether it is prepared or not prepared''?

Answer #1: It is whether he stored it in the house (PNEI MOSHE), or he cast it to the wasteheap.

Objection (Mishnah): (Three by three [fingers of cloth] that was cast to wasteheaps is Tahor... except for those of Argaman or good Zehoris.) R. Liezer says, even a new cloth has the same law;

One says "even'' only if he admits to the first matter! (According to Answer #1, R. Eliezer is Metamei when it was cast to a wasteheap!)

Answer #2: It is whether he prepared it to be a patch [on a garment], or he did not prepare it to be a patch.

This (that Mishnah) is learned from that (our Mishnah), and that (our Mishnah) is learned from this (that Mishnah);

This is learned from that - R. Eliezer discusses when [it was three by three, but now it is less, for] it was folded.

That is learned from this - it is when he did not make it for a patch, but if he made it for a patch, it is Tamei.

Question: What is R. Eliezer's reason [to forbid lighting it]?

Answer: [Through lighting it] he would be like one who is Metaher Kelim on Shabbos.

Question: Did it not become Tahor [before Shabbos] through folding it?!

Answer: [No,] for tailors want it to be folded.

Question: Did it not become Tahor before Shabbos [through lighting it]?!

Answer (R. Lazar citing R. Hoshayah): [Indeed, it becomes Tahor before Shabbos. R. Eliezer forbids] due to Yom Tov that is on Erev Shabbos [lest he be like one who is Metaher Kelim on Yom Tov].

Question: Does it not become Tahor by itself?! (Being Metaher is a mere stringency mid'Rabanan. Surely we do not forbid causing it to happen!)

Answer (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): The case is, it was precisely three by three [fingers. When he lights it, he decreases it from the Shi'ur and overlty is Metaher it.]

(R. Acha citing R. Simon citing R. Shimon Nezirah): If he did an action to it, it is Tahor. If he soaked it in oil, it is not as if he did an action (SHA'AREI TORAS ERETZ YISRAEL).

Note: R. Eliezer and R. Akiva argue about whether or not folding it is considered an action. Soaking it in oil, so it will light better, is not considered an action.

(R. Ze'ira citing R. Yanai citing R. Yirmeyah citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): It seems that the Halachah should follow R. Akiva, for he says like [an intermediate opinion between] both of them. However, the Halachah is like R. Yehoshua. It is a leniency of three by three [fingers].

Not only because it is Tahor [R. Akiva permit lighting it in our Mishnah], rather, even something Tamei [he permits, even though it will become Tahor].

[He taught a whole garment] due to Rav's law. Rav said that we may light with Kelim, but not with broken Kelim.