Keilim 9:7-8

Keilim 9:7

Let’s say that a board was placed over the mouth of an oven and sealed with a tight seal. If the clay of the seal cracked from the oven to the board, the minimum size that would invalidate the seal is as big as the wide end of the stick used to drive cattle, even if the stick cannot enter the crack (because the hole is exactly the same size); Rabbi Yehuda says big enough for the stick to enter. If the board cracked, the minimum size to invalidate the seal is as big as the wide end of the stick used to drive cattle so that the stick can enter the crack; Rabbi Yehuda says it need not be big enough for the stick to enter. If the crack is round, we don’t consider it as if it were long; the minimum size to invalidate the seal is as big as the wide end of the stick used to drive cattle so that the stick can enter.

Keilim 9:8

If there was a hole in the vent of an oven, the minimum size to invalidate a tight seal is the size that a (flaming) spindle can enter and exit the hole (without putting out the fire); Rabbi Yehuda says big enough for a spindle that isn’t burning. If the hole is on the side, the minimum size to invalidate a tight seal is such that a spindle can enter and exit the hole while it’s not burning; Rabbi Yehuda says one that is burning. Rabbi Shimon says that if the hole is in the middle, the minimum size is such that a spindle can enter it; on the side it need only be as big as the spindle but the spindle need not be able to enter. The same is true of a hole in the lid of a jar: the minimum size to invalidate the seal is as big as the second joint on a stalk of rye. If the hole is in the middle, the stalk must be able to enter; on the side, it need not be able to enter. Rabbi Shimon said likewise about holes in large urns: the minimum size to invalidate a seal is the size of the second joint in a reed. If the hole was in the middle, the reed must be able to enter; on the side, the reed need not be able to enter. This is the case when the urns were made to hold wine; if they were made for other liquids, then even the smallest hole renders them susceptible to impurity. This is also only the case when a hole wasn’t made by a person; if a hole was made by a person, then even the smallest hole renders the urns susceptible to impurity. If a jar or urn got punctured, then if it was used for food, the minimum size is large enough for olives to fall; if it was used for liquids, the minimum size is large enough for liquids to seep in. If it’s used for both food and liquid, then the more-stringent standard is used for a tight seal, i.e., the minimum size is large enough for liquids to seep in.