Question: If there were two fig cakes - both of which were partially Tamei and partially Tahor; may one separate from one for the other?

Let's compare it to a later question - (the Mishnah says at the beginning of the 4th Perek) if there were two piles, each of which had part of its Terumos and Ma'asros taken, may one separate from one for the other?

The students of R. Chiya the Great asked him this question. He quoted them the pasuk (Koheles 4:5), "The fool folds his arms and eats his own flesh''. (The fool suffers unnecessarily because he is unable to resolve his doubts. Certainly the answer to the question is that it is prohibited!)

(R. Elazar citing R. Chiya the Great): One may not separate from one for the other.

(Tosefta): When a number of different species were brought in a box, one may not separate Terumos and Ma'asros from the lower cabbage for the upper cabbage, since there is another species in between them. But if there is just airspace between them, he may separate from one for the other.

(Tosefta): All wine that is in the area of the winepress is considered in close proximity (for the requirement of separating 'Min HaMukaf'). All produce that is in the area of the threshing floor is considered in close proximity. (If there are piles of produce in each corner, they are viewed as one pile for separating.)

(Baraisa) (R. Yehuda): As long as produce still remains in the middle.

Question: This applies if there is still wheat in the middle, but what about mere stubble and straw? (The Gemara leaves this question unanswered.)

Question (R. Chagai to R. Yosi): What if there was Tamei produce in the middle (and at the edges of the threshing floor were the Tahor grains)? (Are the grains around the edges considered to be in close proximity?)

Answer (R. Yosi): Can you consider it as if the Tahor piles are 'biting' into each other (i.e. in close proximity - certainly not)?!

Question (Chevraya to R. Yosi): If there was a sheet separating the central pile and the piles on the edge, is it still considered in close proximity?

Answer (R. Yosi): That's like the case of 5 sacks on the threshing floor...

(Baraisa): If there are 5 sacks of produce on the threshing floor, one may not separate Terumah from one for another.