La chaîne d'un fil à plomb [est considérée comme connectée jusqu'à une longueur de] douze [largeurs de main]. Celui des charpentiers'[Le fil à plomb est considéré comme connecté jusqu'à une longueur de] dix-huit [largeurs de main]. Celui des bâtisseurs'[est considéré comme connecté jusqu'à une longueur de] cinquante coudées. Au-delà de cela, si l'on voulait la retenir [à cette longueur], elle est pure [c'est-à-dire que la corde en excès au-delà de cette mesure est insensible à être rendue impure]. Ceux des plâtriers ou des illustrateurs [muraux] [sont considérés comme connectés] à n'importe quelle longueur.
Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
חוט המשקולת (plumb-line) – The builders take hold of a thread/cord In their hands, and at its top is lead and they lower it opposite the wall to see that it should not be curved.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
The string of a [common] plumb-line is regarded as connected up to a length of twelve [cubits]; That of the carpenters’ plumb-line, up to eighteen [cubits]; And that of the builders’ plumb-line up to fifty cubits. The parts that exceed these lengths, even if it was desired to retain them, are pure. The string of a plumb-line is regarded as connected for most types of plumb-lines as far as is generally necessary to drop the weight. A common plumb-line is only used for twelve cubits, a carpenters' is used for 18 and a builders for fifty (that's a pretty high building). Anything beyond that is pure, even if he wishes to retain the extra length.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
חרשין – carpenters of wood.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
The plumb-line of plasterers or moulders is regarded as connected whatsoever its length. Plasterers and moulders work on walls and therefore can use plumb-lines of any length. Therefore, no matter how long it is, it is considered connected.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
ושל בנאים – those who build high and large walls, and a plumb-line [mentioned] in the first clause [of the Mishnah] is aught other than twelve [handbreadths], we are speaking of something designated for small buildings.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
יתר מכאן – more than these measurements that the Sages counted for each and every one, even though that he desires their existence, the excess over the measurement is ritually pure and it is not a connector to the vessel.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
ושל סיידים (that of plasterers) – who plaster the face of the walls with lime/plaster, and they also require [the use of] a plumb-line, and similarly the painters who paint images on the walls.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
כל שהן – whether a lot or a little, it is a connector.
