The "ladleful of corpse-mold" that they spoke of (see Mishnah Oholot 2:2): [It defiles if] it is [the equivalent of the area] from the joints* of his fingers and upwards, the words of Rabbi Meir. And the Sages say, a fistful (Lev. 16:12). A "clod of earth from an area of a doubtful grave" and "a clod of earth from the land of the Gentiles" (Toh. 5:1): Their measure is the size of a large stopper [used] by sack makers, which is the equivalent [size of] the seal of packing bags. And this [size] is [also found] on the upper side of the seal of a Bethlehem jug. Rabbi Tarfon says, the dust of a doubtful grave area [imparts corpse-impurity] if it is of sufficient size to cover up a bone the size of a barleycorn. The "fist" that they spoke of (Mishnah Oholot 13:1): Rabbi Tarfon straightens out the tips of his fingers and shows [the measurement to his students]. Rabbi Akiva closes up the tips of his fingers and shows it. Rabbi Yehuda rests his fingers on top of the biggest one (i.e., the thumb), folded, [and] he goes back and measures*. Rabbi Yosei says, it is the size of the head of a big sheep from Tzippori. Others said in his name, "a handbreadth and a third of a handbreadth." And so they went on measuring before Ben Batiach came along (Kel. 17:12). § The measures of wine and and oil: Their minimum size is like a large stopper for them (i.e., their containers). And what is "a large stopper for them"? One that enters through their mouths (i.e., of the containers). When do these words apply? From below, but from the side, behold, they are impure because they receive from the drainage point downward. § [Regarding leather vessels,] in their initial state, they are not susceptible to impurity until one has blown it up and scraped it (i.e., polished the leather surface). [If] they were scraped, their minimum size [for impurity] is the same as their [actual] size. Rabbi Shimon says, the measure of their minimum size is that of liquids.

One who fashions vessels from that which grows in the sea, [the vessels] are impure (alt., "pure" (GR"A)). [If] he joined to them that which grows on the land, in the same way that they are joined together [are they judged] for impurity, even vessels of cattle dung, vessels of stone, and vessels of clay. An object whose vessel is susceptible to impurity is impure, and an object whose vessel is not susceptible to impurity is pure. Rabbi Yehuda says, vessels* that are fit to contract impurity and he purified them: If some deceptiveness* is found in them [thereafter], they will revert to impurity. One who fashions vessels from bones of birds, they are pure. [If] he joined to them that which grows on the land -- even a thread, and even a cord -- a thing that is susceptible to impurity, it is impure. § Said Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri, for what reason is the wing of a black eagle (or "vulture") different from all other wings (Kel. 17:14)? In order to be stringent. Rather, let all the wings that serve as receptacles be impure, and let those that do not serve as receptacles be pure! A plated chicken-egg is pure since it can only stand [upright with the plating]*. Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Rabbi Meir, even a plated chicken-egg that can hold even the smallest amount [of liquids] is impure, and they only mentioned the "wing of a black eagle" and the "egg of an ostrich" since these are the usual cases.

One who fashions vessels from an object that he stands upright -- it is impure; from an object that is not of [something that] stands upright -- it is pure. A turnip and an etrog and a dry gourd that little children hollowed out to measure dust with them, or which they converted into a scale -- they are pure. A pomegranate and an acorn and a walnut that little children hollowed out, or which they converted into a scale -- they are impure. § The mortar of a charcoal burner that has a receptacle for lead is pure [if the receptacle is used] in its normal manner; [but] from above, it is impure. A tube that was cut open and a mezuzah placed inside, and afterwards he placed it on the wall, even if it was not done in the normal manner of its receptacle*, it is pure. [If first] he placed it on the wall, and afterwards inserted a mezuzah in it, [even if it was done] in the normal manner of its receptacle, it is impure. If he affixed it to the wall, even in the normal manner of its receptacle, it is pure.

The beam of a scale and a level that contain a receptacle* receptacle, and so too for each of the following cases (Zar Zahav) for metal; and a carrying-stick that contains a receptacle for coins; and a poor person's cane that contains a receptacle for water; and a stick that contains a receptacle for a mezuzah and for pearls: The whole [vessel] is only impure if it services the needs [of the receptacle]. And about all of these said Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, "Woe to me if I mention it, and woe to me if I don't mention it! If I mention it, [they will say that] now I am teaching the swindlers how to swindle. And if not, I am withholding [knowledge from] the students, and rendering impure that which is pure." Another version: "That the swindlers will not say that the Sages lack expertise in their activities." For what reason did they say that "the base of the goldsmiths' anvil is impure" (Kel. 17:17)? Because he puts scrap-iron inside it. And a blacksmiths' [anvil], behold, it is pure, but if they modified it to put scrap-iron inside it, (all agree) it would be impure. A whetting board that contains a receptacle for oil, and a writing tablet that contains a receptacle for wax (ibid.): The whole [vessel] is only impure if it services the needs [of the receptacle]. A mat: From what point may it contract impurity? From the time that its edges are rounded off and its rough ends are smoothed out. Rabbi Yehuda says, from the time that its ends are tied into knots so that it does not appear disorderly. If they emerge from it, anything that [serves] the needs of the knots is impure, and anything that does not [serve] the needs of the knots is pure. A reed tube: From what point may it contract impurity? From the time that its edges are rounded off and its rough ends are smoothed out. Rabbi Yehuda says, from the time that he removes the pulp (lit., "the marrow") from within it. The horn [of an animal]: From what point may it contract impurity? From the time that its manufacture is completed. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says, from the time that he removes the marrow from within it. A pumpkin-shell [used to draw water]: From what point may it contract impurity? From the time that its manufacture is completed. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says, from the time that he removes the pulp (lit., "the guts") from within it. And any of them that are found cut into pieces or punctured are impure. [If] he found them in an unfinished state, they are pure, for it is known that they are not [considered] vessels.