1)

(a)The first level of Av ha'Tum'ah (see Tos. Yom Tov) is a Sheretz, Shichvas-Zera (semen) and a Tamei Meis. A Sheretz in this regard comprises - any one of the eight rodents listed in Parshas Shemini.

(b)The Shi'ur Tum'ah of a Sheretz is - a k'Adashah, because that is the size of a newborn snail (the smallest of the Sheratzim) ...

(c)... provided it is a piece of a Sheretz. The limb of a Sheretz (or a whole one) does not have a minimum Shi'ur.

(d)We learn from the Pasuk in Shemini (in connection with a Sheretz rendering an earthenware vessel into which it falls Tamei) "ve'Chol Asher Yipol meihem be'Mosam" - that a Sheretz is only Metamei as long as it is still moist (like it was when it died).

2)

(a)The Zera of a Nochri is not Metamei at all (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(b)And from the Pasuk (in Metzora) "O Ish" we learn that - that of a Katan is not Metamei either ...

(c)... provided he is under the age of nine (see Tos. Yom Tov), the age at which his Bi'ah becomes effective.

3)

(a)The Shi'ur Tum'ah of Zera as regards ...

1. ... the man who has the sighting is - a Mashehu (even as little as a mustard-seed).

2. ... the person who touches it is - a ke'Adashah (the size of a lentil).

(b)We learn from the Lashon "Shichvas Zera" - that it is only Metamei as long as it is still moist (fit to germinate).

(c)The Tana does not insert a Ba'al-Keri in the list of Avos ha'Tum'ah because Ba'al-Keri is a Rishon, and not an Av.

4)

(a)A Tamei Meis is - either a person who touches a Meis, or whoever touches a vessel that touched a Meis.

(b)Earthenware vessels and food that have contact with a Meis - become only a Rishon ...

(c)... whereas ...

1. ... other vessels that touch a Meis - become an Avi Avos ha'Tum'ah.

2. ... and a Nochri or a Nefel (an eighth-month baby [see Tos. Yom Tov)) - do not become Tamei at all.

(d)An 'Av ha'Tum'ah' of a Meis is - Tamei for seven days (like the Meis itself), but is only Metamei food and drink (not Adam and Kelim).

5)

(a)A Metzora bi'Yemei Sefiro and Mei Chatas which do not have the Shi'ur Haza'ah finalize the list. A 'Metzora bi'Yemei Sefiro' is - a Metzora who was a Muchlat, and who, upon recovery, completed the first stage of the ritual leading to his purification, and is now waiting seven days separated from his wife prior to bringing his Korbanos.

(b)From the Gezeirah-Shavah "Kibus Begadim" "Kibus Begadim" from Yemei Chaluto (the initial period of Tzara'as) we learn - that a Metzora bi'Yemei Sefiro is Metamei Adam.

(c)All the above - are Metamei be'Maga, but not be'Masa.

6)

(a)The basic difference between Mei Chatas which do not have the Shi'ur Haza'ah and Mei Chatas which do is that - the former is Metamei be'Maga (see Tos. Yom Tov), but not be'Masa (see Tos. Yom Tov) whereas the latter is Meytamei be'Masa as well.

(b)In spite of the tradition that Mei Chatas is not Metamei the Kohen who sprinkles it, the Torah writes in Chukas "u'Mazeh Mei ha'Nidah Yechabes Begadav" to teach us that - Mei Haza'ah which do have the Shi'ur Haza'ah is Metamei Adam together with the clothes he is wearing.

(c)And when (in connection with Mei Chatas that does not have a Shi'ur Haza'ah) it continues "ve'ha'Noge'a be'Mei ha'Nidah Yitma ad ha'Arev, it is coming to teach us that - Mei Chatas that does not have a Shi'ur is Metamei Adam to be Metamei food and drink (but not Kelim [even the clothes that he is wearing]).

7)

(a)An earthenware vessel whose air-space contains a piece of Meis that ...

1. ... is merely dangling inside it - becomes a Rishon le'Tum'ah, and the same will apply if it is ...

2. ... dangling inside it and touching its sides or its base.

3. ... touches it from the outside - remains Tahor.

(b)We learn this from the Pasuk in Shemini - "ve'Chol K'li Cheres asher Yipol meihem el Tocho".

(c)All the above are not Metamei be'Masa - because by all of them, the Torah writes "ha'Noge'a", without mentioning Masa at all.

8)

(a)The Mishnah now lists the next level of Avos: Neveilah (see Tos. Yom Tov DH 'she'Hem Metam'im') and Mei Chatas that has a Shi'ur Haza'ah, which are Metamei be'Masa (see Tos. Yom Tov DH 'Chatas' & Tiferes Yisrael). Tum'as Masa entails carrying the Tamei object without actually touching it (see Tos. Yom Tov DH 'b'Masa'), as well as ...

(b)... pulling a rope with a piece of Neveilah tied to the other end.

(c)We learn from "Lachem" (which is written in connection with Tum'as Masa) that - Tum'as Masa is restricted to people exclusively.

9)

(a)the Tana rules that Tum'as Masa - is Metamei the clothes that one is wearing and clothes or vessels that one is touching at the time, whereas Tum'as Maga is not ...

(b)... because a person who touches an Av ha'Tum'ah becomes a Rishon, which does not have the power to be Metamei Adam ve'Kelim.

(c)we learn from the Pasuk in Shemini {ha'Noge'a be'Nivlasah Yitma ad ha'Arev"), and from the Pasuk in Chukas (in connection with the Mei Chatas) "ve'ha'Nefesh ha'Noga'as Titma ad ha'Erev", neither of which mention Kibus Begadim that - Neveilah and Mei Nidah are not subject to Kibus Begadim.

(d)The Tana equates Heset with Masa. 'Heset' is - causing the Tum'ah to move up or down (like on a see-saw [see also Tos. Yom Tov]).

10)

(a)Next, the Tana lists an Av ha'Tum'ah that is 'Metamei Tachton k'Elyon'. The only case in this list is - a Bo'el Nidah.

(b)We learn from the Pasuk in Metzora "u'Sehi Nidasah alav" that - a Bo'el Nidah is Metamei Mishkav and Moshav like the Nidah herself.

(c)Whereas from the continuation of the Pasuk "v'Chol ha'Mishkav ... Yitma" we learn that - on the one hand, he is an Av ha'Tum'ah like the Nidah, and is Metamei even Adam u'Kli Cheres, whereas on the other, his Mishkav and Moshav are only Metamei food and drink, but not Adam ve'Kelim ...

(d)... like the Mishkav and Moshav of the Nidah herself.

11)

(a)'Metamei Tachton ke'Elyon' means that - the sheets on which he is lying or sitting (see Tos. Yom Tov) have the same Din as the blankets on top of a Zav (even if there are ten of them [see also Tos. Yom Tov]), which in turn, are Metamei food and drink, but not Adam and Kelim ...

(b)... whereas the same ten sheets that are underneath a Zav, a Zavah, a Nidah and a Yoledes - are Metamei even Adam ve'Kelim ...

(c)... because, as opposed to the Tachton of a Bo'el Nidah (which becomes a Rishon le'Tum'ah), they have the Din of an Av ha'Tum'ah).

12)

(a)The three other liquids of a Zav listed by the Mishnah (besides his Zov) are - his spit, his Zera and his urine ...

(b)All of which are more stringent than the Bo'el Nidah - because they are Metamei b'Chol she'Hein (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(c)The other liquid the Tana adds to this list is - the blood of a Nidah.

(d)'she'Hen Metam'in b'Maga u've'Masa' means that - they are both Metamei Adam Letamei Begadim (see previous Tos. Yom Tov) ve'Kelim (but not Adam u'Chelei Cheres).

13)

(a)The next level of Av ha'Tum'ah listed by the Mishnah is Merkav, which is Metamei underneath Even Mesama, and that is followed by Mishkav.

1. Merkav is - part of the saddle (that is called 'Tafus', and is not attached to the saddle). It supports the Zav in front and at the back (and the saddle itself is Moshav) whereas Mishkav is something on which he lies.

2. Even Mesama is - a large stone that is lying on the Tafus, and which the Zav is holding.

(b)Merkav is more stringent than the previous list - in that it becomes Tamei even though there is no physical contact whatsoever (see also Mishnah Acharonah & Tos. Yom Tov).

14)

(a)Next on the list comes Mishkav and then the Zav himself (see Tos. Yom Tov at the end of the Mishnah)1. Mishkav is - something on which the Zav lies.

(b)Even though Even Mesama is Metamei through Merkav no less than through Mishkav, Mishkav is more stringent than Merkav in that - the Maga and Masa of a Mishkav are both Metamei Adam and the clothes he is wearing, whereas the Maga of Merkav is Metamei Adam, but not the clothes he is wearing.

(c)And a Zav himself is more stringent than his Mishkav - inasmuch as he makes a Mishkav (which is an Av), whereas a Mishkav makes only a Rishon.

15)

(a)The two Avos ha'Tum'ah listed by the Mishnah after a Zav are a. Zavah and b. Metzora.

(b)A Zavah is more stringent than a Zav - in that she is Metamei her Bo'el for seven days.

(c)We learn from the Pasuk in Metzora ...

1. ... "Vatehi Nidasah Alav" - that a Nidah is Metamei her Bo'el for seven days.

2. ... "k'Yemei Nidasah Tih'yeh Temei'ah Hi" - that the same applies to a Bo'el Zavah.

3. ... "Hi" in the previous Pasuk - that it does not extend to whoever a Zav is Bo'el (see Tos. Yom Tov).

16)

(a)The Chumra of a Metzora (who is Metamei Mishkav u'Moshav like a Zavah [see Tos. Yom Tov]) over a Zavah is - that he is Metamei b'Bi'ah (whatever is under the same roof).

(b)And we learn this from the Pasuk in Tazri'a - "mi'Chutz la'Machaneh Moshavo" (which indicates that if a Metzora is sitting under a tree and someone passes by underneath the tree, the latter becomes Tamei [see Tos. Yom Tov]) ...

(c)... though he will not become Tamei if he is sitting under the tree and it is the Metzora who passes by without stopping.

17)

(a)The Din of 'Bi'ah' also applies to a stricken garment and a stone from a stricken house.

(b)'Bi'ah' no longer applies - 'b'Yemei Sefiro' (after the shaving and the haircut on the eighth day after his Taharah process has begun [see also Tos. Yom Tov [DH 'she'Hu Metamei ... ' & 'Lema'alah min ha'Zavah']).

(c)The Din of Mishkav and Moshav of a Metzora also cease to apply at that stage.

18)

(a)The second last level of Av ha'Tum'ah is Etzem k'Se'orah (of a Meis), which we learn from the Pasuk in Chukas "v'Chibastem Bigdeichem ba'Yom ha'Shevi'i", which teaches us - the Tum'ah lasts for seven days (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(b)Metzora nevertheless possesses a Chumra over Etzem k'Se'orah - inasmuch as it is Metamei b'Bi'ah.

(c)We learn from this - that even though the scale is progressive, it does not mean that the previous item on the list does possess an aspect where it is more stringent that the more stringent that follows it.

19)

(a)The final item in the Tana's list of Avos ha'Tum'ah is - Meis.

(b)Meis is more stringent than all the others - in that it is Metamei a person even if just his hand is in the Ohel (whereas a Metzora is not Metamei even if just his nose is outside, since 'Bi'ah b'Miktzas La'av Shemah Bi'ah [see Tos. R. Akiva Eiger]).

(c)Metzora is also more than Meis (even when the person is completely in the room) - in that if the Metzora is moving, the person is Tamei, which is not the case if the Meis is bring carried [see also Mishnah Acharonah]).

(d)Zav and Zavah are more stringent than Meis - inasmuch as they are Metamei Mishkav and Moshav, which a Meis is not.

20)

(a)The Mishnah now lists ten levels of Tum'ah that stem from a man ...

1. ... the first of them a Mechusar Kipurim - which is the period in between the nightfall after Tevilah and bringing the Korban the next day of a Metzora Muchlat, a Zav who had three sightings, a Zavah and a Yoledes.

2. ... the second, a T'vul Yom - which is the period between the Tevilah and nightfall of every Tamei person.

(b)A T'vul Yom is forbidden to eat Terumah and Kodshim - whereas a Mechusar Kipurim may eat Terumah but not Kodshim.

(c)The next three Tum'os are Ba'al-Keri, Bo'el Nidah, a Zav who saw two sightings and a Zav who saw three. A ...

1. ... Ba'al-Keri is more stringent than a T'vul Yom and a Mechusar Kipurim - in that he is forbidden to eat Ma'aser Sheini, too (whereas they may).

2. ... Bo'el Nidah is more stringent than a Ba'al-Keri - inasmuch as he is Metamei Mishkav Tachton ke'Elyon (shel Zav [which they are the latter is not]).

3. ... Zav who saw two sightings is more stringent than a Bo'el Nidah - in that he is Metamei Mishkav and Moshav (rendering it an Av ha'Tum'ah [see Tiferes Yisrael]), he requires spring water for his Tevilah (whereas the latter may Tovel in a regular Mikveh) and he needs to count seven clean days.

4. ... Zav who saw three sightings is more stringent than a Zav who saw two - inasmuch as he becomes obligated to bring a Korban (whilst the latter is not).

(d)The Tana omits Tamei Meis, who is an Av ha'Tum'ah, and therefore more stringent than a Ba'al-Keri, who is not - because a Ba'al-Keri is Tamei, not because of the Tum'ah that he emitted, but because he touched it (whereas the Tana is only concerned with those who become intrinsically Tamei because of their respective Tum'os [see also Tos. Yom Tov]).

(e)A Zav who saw three sightings, on the eighth day, up to the time that he brings his Korban is - a Mechusar Kipurim.

21)

(a)Next on the list are a Metzora Musgar and a Metzora Muchlat. The Chumra of a Metzora ...

1. ... Musgar over a Zav who saw three sightings is - that he is Metamei be'Bi'ah (when he enters a room).

2. ... Muchlat over a Metzora Musgar is that he becomes Chayav Peri'ah (to let his hair grow long), Perimah (to tear his clothes) - to shave off all his hair and to bring a Korban consisting of two birds.

(b)Finally, the Tana lists the limb of a person that is severed which does not have a specified amount of flesh on it, and one that does. In fact, the Tos. Yom Tov explains, the limb is Metamei be'Maga and be'Masa - and possesses no Chumra over a Metzora Muchlat (see also Tiferes Tziyon, who points out that a Metzora be'Yemei Sefiro is not Metamei be'Masa).

22)

(a)The difference between the two limbs lies in the Pesukim in Chukas "ve'al ha'Noge'a ba'Etzem" (see Tos. Yom Tov) and "O b'Etzem Adam O b'Kaver" - written in connection with Tum'as Maga and Tum'as Ohel respectively.

(b)"ba'Etzem" - means a bone without Basar ... whereas "Etzem Adam" - implies a limb that has 'Basar, Gidin and Atzamos.

(c)According to the Tana Kama, the Shi'ur of flesh that is needed to be Metamei be'Ohel is the amount that would re-grow (were it to still to be attached [even though it is less than a ke'Zayis - see Tos. Yom Tov]). R. Yehudah holds that - if there is sufficient flesh to cut into a strip as thick as the Arev (the woof, which is thicker than the Shesi [the weft]) on the weaving-loom, that will surround the limb, it will heal, and it is Metamei be'Ohel too.

(d)The Halachah - is like the Tana Kama.

23)

(a)The Mishnah teaches us that Eretz Yisrael is holier than any other country. In fact - there are ten levels of Kedushah in Eretz Yisrael (see Tos. Yom Tov DH 'Eser' and 'Eretz Yisrael').

(b)The Kedushah of Eretz Yisrael over and above other countries manifests itself in the following three Pesukim a. "u'Ketzartem es Ketzirah va'Haveisem ... " (Emor); b. "ve'Lakachta me'Reishis Kol Pri ha'Adamah asher Tavi me'Artz'cha" (Ki Savo), and c. "mi'Moshvoseichem Tavi'u Lechem Tenufah" (Emor), from which we learn that - a. the Omer (on Pesach), b. Bikurim and c. the Sh'tei ha'Lechem (on Shavu'os) cannot be brought from crops that grew outside Eretz Yisrael.

24)

(a)The next level of Kedushah constitutes cities that - had a wall round them from the time of Yehoshua bin Nun.

(b)We learn this - from the Pasuk in Tazri'a "mi'Chutz la'Machaneh Moshavo" (obligating Metzora'im to leave the precincts of the city).

(c)This Kedushah is also manifest - regarding a Meis, which cannot be returned to the city once it has left the walls (even if the elders of the city decide to bury him there [see also Tos. Yom Tov]).

(d)The Tana permits keeping the Meis in the city however, up until the burial for as long as they like (see Tos. Yom Tov).

25)

(a)Within the walls of Yerushalayim is more holy still and the Har ha'Bayis even holier than that. The Kedushah of Yerushalayim manifests itself - in that Kodshim Kalim and Ma'aser Sheini can only be eaten there.

(b)The Har ha'Bayis, which incorporates - the entire Beis-Hamikdash, measures five hundred Amos by five hundred Amos.

(c)Up to Sha'ar Nikanor is - the Machaneh Leviyah; within - is the Machaneh Shechinah (whereas outside the Har ha'Bayis up until the walls of Yerushalayim comprises the Machaneh Yisrael.

(d)Its Kedushah manifests itself - inasmuch as Zavin, Zavos, Nidos and Yoldos are not permitted to enter (until their eighth day).

26)

(a)A Metzora was sent out of Machaneh Yisrael - which comprised walled cities from the time of Yehoshua, as we have already learned.

(b)We know that ...

1. ... Metzora'im do not remain in Machaneh Yisrael, like Zavim - because the Torah writes "Badad Yeisheiv... ".

2. ... Zavos, Nidos and Yoldos are confined to Machaneh Yisrael like Zavim - because they are Metamei Mishkav, Moshav and Even Mesamei just like them, and ...

3. ... Teme'ei Meis are permitted to enter Machaneh Leviyah and forbidden only to enter Machaneh Shechinah - because they are not.

27)

(a)The section of Har ha'Bayis surrounding the actual Beis Hamikdash is called the Chil - which surrounds the Azaros. It is ten Amos wide and is surrounded by a wall (known as the Soreg) ten Tefachim tall).

(b)Nochrim (who in other regards, have a Din of Zavim de'Rabbanan) and Teme'ei Meis are forbidden to enter the Chil.

(c)Two of the remaining six areas (comprising the Camp of the Shechinah) are the Ezras Nashim and the Ezras Yisrael. The final four comprise - the Ezras Yisrael, Bein ha'Ulam ve'la'Mizbe'ach, the Heichal and the Kodesh Kodshim.

28)

(a)The level of Tum'ah that the Chachamim forbade to enter the Ezras Nashim (a square of one hundred and thirty-five square Amos) - is a T'vul Yom (even though min ha'Torah, he is permitted to do so).

(b)We learn from the Pasuk in Divrei ha'Yamim "Vaya'amod Yehoshafat bi'Kehal Yehudah ... Lifnei he'Chatzer ha'Chadashah" - that Yehoshafat ha'Melech instituted the above decree (see Tos, Yom Tov).

(c)He did not also decree on Mechusrei Kipurim - because whereas a T'vul Yom is forbidden to eat Terumah, a Mechusar Kipurim is not.

29)

(a)The Ezras ...

1. ... Yisrael is more holy than the Ezras Nashim - in that a Mechusar Kipurim is forbidden to enter it.

2. ... Kohanim more holy than the Ezras Yisrael - in that even a Tahor Yisrael is forbidden to enter there unless he needs to ...

(b)... in order to perform Semichah (which the owner is obligated to perform), Shechitah (which any Tahor person may) or Tenufah (which the owner has to perform in conjunction with a Kohen [see also Tiferes Yisrael]).

(c)If a T'vul Yom enters the Ezras Nashim - he transgresses an Isur de'Rabbanan, whereas if a Mechusar Kipurim enters the Ezras Yisrael - he is Chayav a Chatas (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(d)The area of both ...

1. ... the Ezras Yisrael and of ...

2. ... the Ezras Kohanim is - a hundred and thirty-five Amos wide and eleven Amos long.

(e)They distinguish the Ezras Kohanim from the Ezras Nashim - by means of short wooden posts (see also Tos. Yom Tov).

30)

(a)Only Kohanim are permitted to enter the area between the Ulam and the Mizbe'ach - except for a Kohen with a blemish and one who has long hair.

(b)According to the Rambam, the current prohibition and the previous one Torah prohibitions. The Gemara in ha'Kometz Rabah however, suggests that - they are only mide'Rabbanan.

(c)The reason that the Tana omits a Kohen who drank wine, who did not wash his hands and who was not wearing the Bigdei Kehunah from the current list is (like Rebbi Yosi does) is - because the Chumra of the Chachamim is confined to Pesulim that have to do with his body, but not with external ones (see Tos. Yom Tov).

31)

(a)With regard to entering the Heichal, the Chachamim added to the above list - a Kohen who did not wash his hands before entering (see Tos. Yom Tov).

(b)The highest level of Kedushah is the Kodesh Kodshim, which only the Kohen Gadol is permitted to enter once a year on Yom Kipur (see Tos. Yom Tov) - four times (to burn the Ketores, to sprinkle the blood twice, first of the bull, and then of the goat, and to remove the spoon and the pan).

(c)If he enters a fifth time - he as Chayav Miysah (bi'Yedei Shamayim).

32)

(a)We learned that between the Ulam and the Mizbe'ach is more holy than the Ezras Kohanim, inasmuch as a Kohen with a blemish and one with long hair is forbidden to enter there. Rebbi Yossi adds - one who drunk wine and one who did not wash his hands before entering (see Tos. Yom Tov DH 'she'Ein Nichnas').

(b)Rebbi Yossi also maintains that whenever the Ketores is brought (even in the Kodesh Kodshim on Yom Kippur), everyone had to leave the area of Bein ha'Ulam ve'la'Mizbe'ach (see Tos. Yom Tov). According to the Tana Kama - it is only necessary when a Kohen brings the Ketores on the Mizbe'ach ha'Zahav in the Heichal, but not when the Kohen Gadol enters the Kodesh Kodshim on Yom Kippur.

33)

(a)The Tana has actually listed - eleven Kedushos (and not ten).

(b)According to some, the first item on the list (that Eretz Yisrael is more holy than all other countries), is not included - because all the others entail a certain Kavod for the place (that specific Tum'os or people are forbidden to enter them) which is not the case with Eretz Yisrael (despite the fact that Bikurim, the Omer, the Sh'tei ha'Lechem and the Lechem ha'Panim [see Tos. Yom Tov] from outside cannot be brought from outside Eretz Yisrael.

(c)Others say that - the Tana who lists ten Kedushos is R. Yossi, who does not differentiate between Bein ha'Ulam v'la'Mizbe'ach and the Heichal.