1)

(a)The Mishnah rules that metal vessels that ...

1. ... are either flat or in the form of receptacles - are subject to Tum'ah.

2. ... break - become Tahor.

3. ... broke and have been repaired - return to their original status (of Tum'ah).

(b)The Rabbanan instigated the latter ruling - because they were worried that people might take their cue from broken ones (which become Tahor, but which do not require waiting for nightfall) and use Tamei Keilim immediately after Tevilah, without waiting for nightfall (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(c)Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel restricts this decree to Tum'as Mes. According to him, the Rabbanan issued the decree of Tum'ah Yeshanah - because they were afraid that people might take their cue from broken Keilim (which become Tahor, but which do not require sprinK'ling with the ashes of the Parah Adumah on the third and seventh days), and use Tamei Keilim after Tevilah without sprinK'ling them with the ashes of the Parah Adumah.

(d)The Tana finds it necessary to teach us that flat metal vessels are subject to Tum'ah - because we might otherwise have thought that they are not - because perhaps, like wooden ones, they are compared to a sack (so he teaches us that they are not).

2)

(a)The Tana lists a door, a bolt and a lock - as exceptions to the rule that any metal vessel that has a name of its own is subject to Tum'ah; they are not.

(b)The list continues 'ha'Tzir, ha'Posah she'Tachas ha'Tzir, ha'Korah v'ha'Tzinor'.

1. Tzir is a hinge - Posah she'Tachas ha'Tzir is a small metal cup-like receptacle, which is fixed in the ground, and which houses the hinge as it swivels round in it.

2. Tzinor is a pipe - Korah, is a metal door-knocker (Tiferes Yisrael).

(c)All the things listed in this Mishnah are not subject to Tum'ah - because, as the Mishnah concludes, they are all used together with the ground (which gives them the Din of something that is attached to the ground, which are not subject to Tum'ah [see Tos. Yom Tov).

3)

(a)The Mishnah discusses metal Keilim that one manufactures from an Eshes - a lump of metal as it is mined from the ground, a Chararah - a round 'cake' (of metal) which is formed after it has been smelted or Sovevei Galgal ...

(b)... the metal bands that surround the wheels of carriages to reinforce them.

(c)The Tana rules - that the above are Tahor ...

(d)... because since they all fall under the category of Gulmei Keilim (unfinished vessels), they must all have been Tahor initially, so there is nothing to decree.

(e)The same applies to Keilim that one made out of metal plates, metal that has been used for plating (see Tos. Yom Tov) ...

1. ... Kanei Keilim, Ognei Keilim or Oznei Keilim - bases, rims (see also Tos. Yom Tov) and handles of vessels respectively, or out of ...

2. ... Shecholes and Gerudos - the material that remains after the K'li has been completed and the shavings that are removed whilst the K'li is being manufactured, respectively.

4)

(a)According to R. Yochanan ben Nuri, the above ruling will also extends to Ketzutzos - Keilim that have been cut into pieces (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(b)According to the Rabanan however - they are subject to the Din of Tum'ah Yeshanah.

(c)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.

5)

(a)The Mishnah rules that broken Keilim, Keilim that have worn down, and nails that are made from other Keilim - are all subject to Tum'ah Yeshanah.

(b)Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel argue however, over nails - S'tam nails, where we do not know whether they were manufactured from other Keilim or not; whereas the previous case speaks - where we know that they were.

(c)Beis Shamai declare them Tamei (Tum'ah Yeshanah), Beis Hillel say - Tahor.

(d)The basis of their Machlokes is - whether we decree S'tam on account of where we know that they came from old vessels (Beis Shamai) or not (Beis Hillel).

6)

(a)A vessel made out of a mixture of Tamei metal and Tahor metal is subject to Tum'ah Yeshanah - if either the Tamei metal comprises the majority or if it is exactly half-half.

(b)The same applies to a K'li that is made from a mixture of Chalama - mud that is thick as the white of an egg, and Gelalim (animal dung).

(c)The vessel will be Tahor - if the Gelalim comprise the majority.

7)

(a)The Tana declares Tamei a metal K'lustera - a bolt with an apple-shaped cap that keeps the door shut by fitting into a hole in the ground.

(b)... because it is fit to use for pounding garlic in a pestle.

(c)It will be Tahor however - if it is made basically of Tahor metal, and is only overlaid with Tamei metal (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(d)And he also declares Tamei ...

1. ... a Pin - one of the teeth that fits on to a key.

2. ... a Purna - a lock (into which the teeth of the key fit (see Tos. Yom Tov and Tiferes Yisrael).

8)

(a)R. Yehoshua permits one - to drag a K'lustera that is being used to bolt one's door to use to bolt another door (but not to carry directly (since it is Muktzah).

(b)R. Tarfon, who considers it a K'li - permits carrying it directly.

(c)Bearing in mind that the Mishnah just discussed the Din of K'lustera, the Tana is coming to teach us that - when the Tana said earlier, that it is Tamei, he was quoting the opinion of R. Tarfon, but that according to R. Yehoshua, since it is not a K'li with regard to Shabbos, it is Tahor.

9)

(a)The Mishnah rules that the Akrav (the halter) shel P'rumbi is Tamei. The Akrav shel Prumbi is - the bit.

(b)According to the Tana Kama, the Lechayayim shel Prumbi - are two metal plates that are fixed, one on either side of the bit, are not subject to Tum'ah (as long as they are not fixed) - because they are purely ornamental (see beginning of next Perek.

(c)R. Eliezer maintains - that they are subject to Tum'ah.

(d)The Chachamim - seem to reiterate the opinion of the Tana Kama (see Tos. Yom Tov).

10)

(a)The Mishnah declares even the Lechayayim Tamei (even according to the Tana Kama) - if the Tum'ah occurs whilst they are attached to the halter.

(b)R. Eliezer rules that they are Tamei anyway - precisely because they only serve their purpose as long as they are attached to the halter (See Tiferes Yisrael).

11)

(a)Rebbi Akiva declares Tamei a metal Pika - a small metal ball with a hole into which one fits the spindle. Its purpose is - to lend weight to the spindle, whilst it spins round forming the threads.

(b)The Chachamim disagree with him - because it does not have a name of its own (see Tos. Yom Tov) ...

(c)... and the Halachah is like them.

(d)A wooden spindle that is overlaid with Tamei metal - is Tahor ...

(e)... because it is the basic object that determines its status (and not with whatever overlays it), and the basic object falls under the category of Peshutei K'lei Etz (flat wooden vessels [see Tos. Yom Tov]).

12)

(a)The Tana declares ...

1. ... a spindle, the bent hook at the end of it (for spinning silk [see also Tos. Yom Tov DH 'v'ha'Eimah'), a rod ...

2. ... a Simponya (an old-time musical instrument), and a flute - are all subject to Tum'ah ...

(b)... provided they are made of metal (since all of these are not receptacles).

(c)He declares ...

1. ... them all Tahor however - if they are made of wood, even if they are overlaid with metal (as we explained a little earlier).

2. ... the Simponya Tamei even if it is made of wood - if space is made inside it to hold two 'Kenafayim' [winged shape attachments] see also Tos. Yom Tov).

(d)The metal rod is used - to strike an animal to make it move or to make it move faster ...

(e)... and it is subject to Tum'ah - because the owner uses it, rendering it an instrument that is made for the use of man.

13)

(a)The Mishnah now differentiates between a round horn and a straight one - with reference to a trumpet made of animals' horns, where the one is fitted to the other.

(b)The Tana declares the former - Tamei, the latter - Tahor.

(c)The basis of this distinction is the fact that - they are made of animal horn, which have the Din of bones, which in turn, is compared to wood, and a wooden K'li is Tahor unless it is formed in the shape of a receptacle.

(d)If the Metzupis - the mouthpiece, of the straight one is made of metal, it too is Tamei.

14)

(a)If the Kav - the wide part of the straight trumpet (see Tos. Yom Tov) is made of metal, R. Tarfon declares it Tamei ...

(b)... the Chachamim - declare it Tahor.

(c)If all three parts are joined - then even the Chachamim will agree that they are all Tamei ...

(d)... and they are arguing in a case where they are not (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(e)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.

15)

(a)Based on the ruling earlier in the Perek that parts of a K'li that have an independent name are subject to Tum'ah, the Tana now discusses the branches of a lamp, the Perach - the base on which it rests (see also Tiferes Yisrael), and the Basis - the legs on which the base stands.

(b)The Mishnah declares the branches of a lamp - Tahor (since they do not have an independent name), and the Perach and the Basis on the other - Tamei (since they do).

(c)Even the branches will be subject to Tum'ah however - if they are firmly attached to the lamp.

16)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses a soldier's armor and weapons that are made of metal. A Kasda is a metal helmet, Lechayayim - metal plates that cover the cheeks.

(b)Whereas the former is subject to Tum'ah, the latter are Tahor - because they do not have an independent name.

(c)Even the Lechayayim will be Tamei however - if they incorporate a receptacle for water.

17)

(a)The Tana rules that all ...

1. ... weapons are subject to Tum'ah, and the same applies to all ...

2. ... women's ornaments.

(b)And he proceeds to list some of the weapons used at that time ... Kidon - a small metal spear used by royalty in war time, Nikon - the spear-head that fits into the wooden handle, Magapayin and Shiryon.

(c)Magapayin are metal leg-guards (a kind of sock), and Shiryon - a suit of armor.

18)

(a)We learn from the Pasuk in Matos "ve'Chol asher Lo Yavo ba'Eish Ta'aviru ba'Mayim" that - women's ornaments (see Tos. Yom Tov) are subject to Tum'ah ...

(b)... even though they have no practical use.

(c)The first woman's ornament listed by the Tana is Ir shel Zahav - which is a tiara made in the shape of Yerushalayim.

(d)This is followed by Katli'os - tight necklaces, which cause a woman's chest to expand ...

(e)... Nezamim - nose and ear-rings (see Tos. Yom Tov), and Taba'os - finger-rings.

19)

(a)The Tana incorporates in Taba'os - both signet-rings and rings without a seal (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(b)He also rules that ...

1. ... nose-rings is Tamei.

2. ... a Katla that comprises metal beads on a wool or linen string, and the string snaps, leaving the beads intact - the latter remain subject to Tum'ah, since each bead can be used on its own (See Mishnah Achronah and Meleches Shlomoh).

3. ... a Katla comprises precious stones or pearls on a metal thread, and the beads break, leaving the thread intact - the latter is Tamei (even though it is not a receptacle), since it is made of metal.

(c)According to R. Eliezer, if just one bead of a broken Katla remains intact, it is Tamei - because each bead can be used on its own (see Tos. Yom. Tov).

(d)The Tana Kama however - require sufficient to remain intact to fit round the neck of a small girl.

20)

(a)Finally, the Mishnah discusses a two-part ear-ring, the bottom part of which is shaped like a pot - the top part comprises a grain of gold (like a lentil).

(b)If ...

1. ... the top part breaks, the bottom part is still Tamei (even though it is not fit to serve as an ornament on its own) - because it has the shape of a receptacle (see Tos. Yom Tov).

2. ... the bottom part breaks, the top part is still Tamei - because it is still fit to be used independently.

(c)The Tzinora - the forked section ('Tzinor' means a fork) of the ear-ring that fits into the ear is Tahor if it breaks ...

(d)... because it cannot be used on its own.

(e)An ear-ring that is shaped like a bunch of grapes, is Tahor if it breaks -a. because each grape does not have an independent name, and b. because it cannot be used on its own.

Hadran alach 'K'lei Matchos'