Pieces of dough which are touching each other or loaves that are touching one another, if one of them is rendered impure by [touching] a vermin, they are all [rendered] primary [in their impurity; i.e. they all become of a first degree of impurity]. If they were [then] separated, they are all [still] primary [in their impurity]. Regarding liquids [that are similarly touching each other, if one liquid is rendered impure by impure liquids, which are always of a first degree level of impurity, then] they are all of a second degree [level of impurity]; if they were [then] separated, they are all [still] of a second degree. If [they were made impure] by hands [which are of a second degree level of impurity], they are all of a third degree.
Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
מקרצות (pieces of dough – separated from the main dough in the trough) – pieces of dough. It is language of (Jeremiah 46:20): “[Egypt is a handsome heifer] A gadfly from the north is coming, coming!.”
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English Explanation of Mishnah Tahorot
Introduction
Today's mishnah deals with loaves or pieces of dough that are stuck together. The principle is that if one loaf or piece of bread is defiled, they are all regarded as defiled. They retain this impurity even if they are later separated.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
נושכות זו את זו (stick to one another) – that they are attached to each other and it is impossible to separate them unless they are stuck together.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Tahorot
Pieces of dough which are stuck to each other or loaves stuck to each other, if one of them was defiled from a sheretz, they all become unclean in the first degree; If they were then separated they are still regarded as having first degree uncleanness. All of the loaves have first degree impurity because one had contact with the sheretz. They retain this even when they are separated.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
כולן תחילה – for they are considered as one and is if they touched all of them
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English Explanation of Mishnah Tahorot
If one of them was defiled by a liquid they all have second degree uncleanness; If they were then separated they are still regarded as have second degree uncleanness. Impure liquids always have first degree impurity. Therefore, the loaves or dough has second degree impurity.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
פירשו (if they were separated) – the pieces, this one from that one.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Tahorot
If one of them was defiled from the hands, they all become have third degree uncleanness; If they were then separated they are still regarded as having third degree of uncleanness. Hands are considered to have second degree impurity. If the loaves are of terumah, they will be invalidated but not made impure. If the loaves were holy, then they are impure.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
במשקין כלן שניות – for as liquids they were first-degree [of ritual impurity] and they make [other things] second-degree [of ritual impurity].
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Bartenura on Mishnah Tahorot
בידים כלן שלשיות – for hands are second degree [of ritual impurity] and make heave-offering third-degree [of ritual impurity].
