Es ist verboten, Morsan (grobe Kleie) für Hühner (auf Pesach) [in kaltem Wasser, und es versteht sich von selbst, in lauwarmem Wasser] zu tränken, aber es kann gerührt werden [in kochendem Wasser. Solange das Wasser kocht, kann es nicht zu Chametz werden. Und heutzutage wird sogar das Rühren mit heißem Wasser als verboten bezeichnet.] Eine Frau darf den Morsan, den sie mit ins Badehaus nimmt, nicht einweichen [um ihr Fleisch damit zu reiben, denn es wird durch Einweichen zu Chametz], aber sie kann reibe es trocken auf ihrem Fleisch [obwohl ihr Fleisch mit Wasser feucht ist]. Man darf kein Weizenkorn kauen und es auf seine Wunde auf Pesach legen, weil es dadurch zu Chametz wird.
Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim
אין שורין את המורסן – in cold water and all the more so in tepid water in order to place in front of the chicken.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Pesachim
Introduction
This mishnah returns to discussing the prohibition of chametz on Pesah.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim
אבל חולטין – in hot/boiling water, for all the while that the water is boiling, it cannot ferment. But today, it is the general practice that we prohibit even a paste made of flour stirred in boiling water (i.e., dumpling).
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English Explanation of Mishnah Pesachim
All three sections of this mishnah teach that one must avoid letting grains come into contact with water on Pesah because this allows them to turn into chametz. We should note that today religious Jews do not keep grain in their possession on Pesah, nor do they bake matzot during Pesah. In the time of the Talmud Jews did not get rid of dry grains, grains which had not yet become chametz and when they needed to, they did bake matzah on Pesah. This mishnah deals with what one may do and not do with grain on Pesah.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim
תשרה את המורסן – to rub it in her skin because it becomes leavened in the skin.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Pesachim
One may not soak bran for fowls, but one may scald it. Soaking bran will lead it to become chametz. However, putting it in boiling water will not cause it to become chametz because the hot water arrests the leavening process.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim
אבל שפה היא – she may rub it on her skin dry even though she that water is dripping on her skin.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Pesachim
A woman may not soak bran to take with her to the bathhouse, but she may rub dry [bran] on her skin . Soaked bran was used by women to cleanse their skin in the bathhouse. She may not soak the bran before she goes to the bathhouse because that will cause it to become chametz. However, she may rub dry bran directly on her skin even though her skin is moist.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Pesachim
לא ילעוס – he should not chew it with his teeth.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Pesachim
And a man may not chew wheat and place it on his wound, because it turns into chametz. Chewed wheat was used as a salve for wounds. When he chews it he gets the wheat wet, thereby making it likely to become chametz. Hence, this is forbidden. On a small note concerning gender, it is interesting that men are wounded and women go to the bathhouse.
