Three stones on which two ovens are made: if one of the outer ones became impure, the half of the middle one that serves the impure one is impure, but the [half of it] that serves the pure one remains pure. If he removed the pure one, the middle one is completely transferred to the impure one. If he removed the impure one, the middle one is completely transferred to the pure one. If the two outer ones become impure, if the middle stone was large, one outer stone is assigned a part of it that suffices for the support of a pot and the other outer stone a part of it that suffices for the support of a pot, and the remainder is pure. But if it was small, all of it is impure. If he removes the middle stone, if he can set a big pot on it [the stove], they [the outer stones] are impure. If he put it back, they all are pure. If he plastered it [the middle stone] with clay, it becomes susceptible to impurity when it is heated to a degree that suffices for the cooking of an egg.
Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
שלש אבנים שעשאן שתין כירים – and the middle stone services both this one (i.e., the portable stove with caves for two pots) and that one (i.e., the other portable stove with caves for two pots).
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
Introduction
This mishnah continues the subject of stones lined up in a row to make multiple stoves.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
האמצעית המשמשת את הטמאה – half of the middle one (i.e., stove) that services the outer one which is [ritually] impure is impure. But the half that services the outer one that is pure is pure.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
If one made two stoves of three stones and one of the outer ones was defiled the half of the middle one that serves the unclean one is unclean but the half of it that serves the clean one remains clean. The structure described here consists of three stones, each attached either to the ground with clay or to each other. This will make two stoves, one between each stone. If one of the outer stones is defiled, then the half of the middle stone facing the impure stone is impure. But the side facing the pure stone remains pure.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
נחלטה האמצעית לטמאה – and all of it (i.e., all three stones) are impure.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
If the clean one was removed, the middle one is regarded as completely transferred to the unclean one. If he removed the clean stone on the outside, then the middle stone is used entirely with the unclean stone. Therefore the middle one is now entirely unclean.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
לשפות עליהן – [to set upon] the two outer ones (i.e., stones).
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
If the unclean one was removed, the middle one is regarded as completely transferred to the clean one. Similarly, if the unclean stone is removed, the middle stone is entirely pure because it is only used with the pure stone.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
החזירה – [if he restored] the middle one (i.e., stone)
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
Should the two outer ones become defiled, if the middle stone was large, each outer stone is allowed such a part of it as suffices for the support of a pot and the remainder is clean. But if it was small all of it is unclean. If both outer stones are defiled, then the parts of the middle stone that are used with the outer stones are also considered defiled, but if there remains unused space in between the used portions, the unused space is pure. If the middle stone was small and all of it was used to rest the pots whose other side was placed on the outer stones, then the entire stone is impure.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
טהורה – for the first portable stove on feet with caves for two pots/כירה is abolished and it is as if he placed on it the large pot of the cauldron/kettle.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
Should the middle stone be removed, if a big kettle can be set on the two outer stones they are unclean. If the middle stone is removed, the outer stones remain impure if they can still be used to heat up a large vat.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
מקבלת טומאה משיסיקנה – for it (if plastered) requires heating like a new portable stove on feet with caves for two pots.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
If the middle stone is returned they all become clean again. If it was plastered with clay it becomes susceptible to impurity when it is heated to a degree that suffices for the cooking of an egg. If after removing the middle stone he returns it, the entire structure becomes pure again. We look at this stove as if it was first destroyed, which causes it to shed its impurity and then was rebuilt. In such cases the vessel does not return to its original impurity. In order for this stove to again become susceptible to impurity, he must plaster it with clay to attach it to the ground and heat up all three stones such that they could be used to cook an egg. In other words this is a new stove.
