1)

(a)The Mishnah discusses someone who touches different parts of a Tamei weaving-loom (see Tos. Yom-Tov), beginning with Koved Elyon and Koved Tachton. 'Koved Tachton' is the large roller around which the initial Shesi (woof) thread is wound. 'Koved Elyon ' is - the large roller at the other end (where the weaver sits [see Tos. Yom-Tov]), around which the section of the garment that has been woven winds.

(b)They are called 'Koved' - because they are heavy.

(c)The Tana then lists Nirin, Kirus, Chut she'He'eviro al-Gabei Argaman u'be'Irah she'Einah Asid le'Hachzirah. If ...

1. ... Nirin are the thick threads that are fitted to the Kaneh (rod) which hold the rings through which the threads of the Shesi pass, 'Kirus' is - a comb-shaped implement (see also Tos. Yom-Tov) with which one strikes the threads, causing them to join together.

2. Chut she'He'eviro al-Gabei Argaman refers to threads that one places on top of the purple threads that form a picture on the woven fabric, to keep it clean, and 'Irah' - to a small piece of red or black wool or linen that one throws (via the Arev [the warp] thread with which it is intertwined) into the Shesi as it is being woven, for ornamental purposes (see also Tos. Yom-Tov).

(d)'Irah' she'Einah Asid le'Hachzirah' is - any such pieces that are still attached to the fabric, but which one still intends to remove (e.g. if he means to add a piece of black wool, and that particular piece happens to be red).

(e)The Tana rule in all these cases - that even though the woven garment became Tamei at the time that it was being woven, the one who subsequently touches these parts remains Tahor.

2)

(a)Now the Tana lists those things that render Tamei whoever touches them ... 'Nefesh ha'Maseches, Sh'si ha'Omed, Kaful she'He'eviro al-Gabei ha'Argaman and Ira she'Hi Asidah Lehachzirah.

1. 'Nefesh ha'Maseches' refers to - the Arev-threads that one throws in between the Sh'si (like a Soul inside the body [see also Tos. Yom-Tov]).

2. 'Sh'si ha'Omed' - is the Sh'si threads that will still be woven into the garment.

3. 'Kaful she'He'eviro al-Gabei ha'Argaman' refers to - a piece of cloth that one stitches on top of the purple threads that form a picture, in order to keep it clean.

4. 'Ira she'Hi Asidah Lehachzirah' is - a small piece of red or black wool or linen which one intends to throw back on to the Sh'si (even if it is currently sticking out of the loom).

(b)The Mishnah declares Tahor the wool on the Eima and the Ashavya, used by a woman for spinning. The former is the rod around which the wool that is ready for spinning is wound, whilst the latter - is the spindle that she holds in her hands during the spinning process.

(c)The reason for this ruling is - because threads that are not part of a garment are not subject to Tum'ah.

3)

(a)Finally, the Mishnah rules that someone who touches the Pika (the round cap of the spindle [see Tos. Yom-Tov]) is sometimes Tamei. It is attached to it - by means of a hole, into which one wedges the rod of the spindle.

(b)It is Tamei - as long as it is has not been loosened, but Tahor - from the moment that is has (see also Tos. Yom-Tov).

4)

(a)The Tana now discusses someone who touches the various parts of a Tamei plow. His first list incorporates Ol, Katrav, Ayin and Avos.

1. 'Ol' is the yoke (that is placed on the necks of the oxen whilst they are plowing - 'Katrav' refers to two pegs that fit into holes on either side of the yoke and pin it to a second piece of wood (shaped like the yoke) that is placed underneath the ox's neck and that are then tied in place (to prevent the yoke from slipping off).

2. 'Ayin' is a cloth made of wool, leather or sack placed underneath the yoke, to protect its skin,. 'Avos' is - the shaft that connects the yoke to the plow.

(b)The Mishnah now rules - that whoever touches any of these is Tahor ...

(c)... even if he touches them whilst they are actually in use (see Tiferes Yisrael).

5)

(a)On the other hand, touching the Cherev, Borach (or Korach) or Yetzul (of a plow) will render a person Tamei. 'Cherev' - is a sword-like piece of wood (attached vertically to the back of the plows, which the farmer holds whilst he is plowing.

(b)'Borach' is a bent piece of wood in the shape of a saddle that scrapes the ground behind the plow (see Tos. Yom-Tov & Tiferes Yisrael), and 'Yatzul' (from the root of a word that means to 'bend' or to 'turn') - is another piece of wood which the farmer turns to the right or to the left to steer the plow.

(c)A third list incorporates Ayin shel Mateches, Lechayayin and Arayin. 'Ayin shel Mateches' is a metal ring, and 'Lechayayin' are two pieces of wood. The function of ...

1. ... 'Ayin shel Mateches' is - to attach the shaft to the plow.

2. ... 'Lechayayim', says the Tiferes Yisrael, are - two small sharp shield-like boards fitted to the front of the plow, which soften and break-up the hard earth before the plow churns it.

(d)The Mishnah now rules - that all of these render whoever touches them, Tamei.

6)

(a)R. Yehudah declares Lechayayim, Tahor - since they their purpose is to increase soft earth, as we explained; hence they are not actually part of the plowing process.

(b)The Halachah - is like the Chachamim.

7)

(a)The Mishnah declares someone who touches the handle on either end of a Tamei saw - Tamei, because they are 'Yados' (handles), and Yados ha'Keilim adopt the same status as the K'li itself.

(b)In the event that he touches the thread ('Chut' or 'Meshichah' [see Tiferes Yisrael]) that runs from one handle to the other, the Amah or the thin stick however, he remains Tahor. The function of ...

1. ... the thread (which is tied to both handles) - is to keep them firm.

2. ... the 'Amah' (a piece of wood attached to both handles) - is to loosely join them together.

3. ... the thin sticks ('S'nifin' [around which one winds the thread]) - is to make the thread taut.

(c)The Tana declares a carpenter's press ('Machbesh') and a small bow-like piece of wood ('Kastanis') used by him - Tahor (see Tiferes Yisrael).

(d)The carpenter uses his ...

1. ... 'Machbesh' - to straighten bent pieces of wood and boards.

2. ... 'Kastanis' - as a handle (in the shape of a bow) for his awl (which bores into the wood, as he turns it).

(e)We might have thought that the person who touches either of these ought to be Tamei - because both have major metal attachments which became Tamei.

8)

(a)R. Yehudah refers to the Malbein (frame) of a large saw - a frame which enables a team to saw large beams or thick logs together.

(b)He rules - that it is Tahor ...

(c)... because it is only the actual handle that is subject to Tum'ah.

(d)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim, who declare the frame Tamei.

9)

(a)The Mishnah rules - that someone who touches ...

1. ... a bow is Tahor.

2. ... the string of the bow is Tahor too - even if the string is actually stretched.

(b)We might have thought that he is Tamei - because it is speaking in a case where the arrow is Tamei ...

(c)... and the Tana is coming to teach us that the bow and the string are not considered attached to the arrow (despite the fact that they are used together).

10)

(a)The Tana Kama declares Tahor a trap that catches 'Ishos' - moles (which has no eyes).

(b)People tend to trap them - because they devastate the fields.

(c)It is Tahor - because it is not considered a K'li (see Tiferes Yisrael).

(d)R. Yehudah disagrees with the previous ruling, declaring the trap Tamei - as long as it is set (with the (Tamei) metal arrow poised to pierce the mole).

(e)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.