What sort of K'li is the Pasuk referring to?
Rashi, Targum Yonasan and Sifri: It is referring to an earthenware vessel which is not subject to Tum'ah via its outside, only via its inside. 1 Consequently, if its lid is fixed firmly in place, whatever is inside it does not become Tamei in an Ohel ha'Meis.
The Sifri learns it ffrom the words "ve'Kol K'li Pasu'ach", implying a K'li that becomes Tamei via its opening. See Torah Temimah, note 71.
What are the implications of "K'li Pasu'ach"?
Rashi (in Shabbos, 95b), Targum Yonasan and Sifri: It implies an earthenware vessel - whose Tum'ah only enters it via the opening, but not via a hole in the side. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 71.
What is the definition of "asher Ein Tzamid Pasil alav"?
Rashi #1, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means 'whose lid is not firmly attached on it'. 1
Rashi: Like "Naftulei Elokim Niftalti" in Vay'chi Bereishis, 30:8. See also Torah Temimah, note 78.
What is the definition of "Tzamid Pasil"?
Rashi: "Tzamid" is 'the lid', and "Pasil", 'firmly attached '.
Rashi #2 (in Chulin, 25a) and Sifri: "Tzamid" means 'firmly attached' and "Pasil", 'the lid'.
Sifri: "Tzamid" is 'the stopper' (the lid), 1 and "Pasil", 'the 'string that one ties round it.
Sifri: Similar to the Pasuk in Balak, 25:3 "Vayitzamed Yirael le'Ba'al Pe'or".
What are the implications of "asher Ein Tzamid Pasil alav"?
Rashi: It implies that if its lid is firmly attached on it, it is Tahor (even from Tum'as Midras, 1 since the Pasuk is speaking even where he gave the K'li Cheres to his wife to sit on - Shabbos, 84b).
Chulin, 25a: It implies that, if the lid is not firmly attached, the inside is Tamei, but if it is, it does not become Tamei from the outside. 2
What are the implications of "Tamei Hu"?
Chulin, 25a: It implies that K'lei Cheres exclusively only become Tamei when the lid is not firmly attached 1 , but all other vessels are Tamei irrespective of whether the lid is firmly attached or not - because they become Tamei from the outside (via touching, but not from the inside - without touching). 2
Sifri: With reference to where the lid is firmly attached, implies that the same earthenware vessel that saves itself from Tum'as Ohel of a Meis, also saves itself from the Tum'as Ohel of a Sheretz (and of all Tum'os). In other words, if a K'li Cheres with its lid shut tight is placed inside an earthenware oven in whih there is a Sheretz, it remains Tahor


