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Keilim 12:8-13:1

Keilim 12:8

A knife used to sharpen a quill, a pen, a plumb bob, a weight (for scales), pressing blocks (for olives), a ruler and a drafting board are all susceptible to ritual impurity. All unfinished wooden utensils are likewise susceptible except for those made of boxwood. Rabbi Yehuda says that an unfinished utensil made from an olive branch is also insusceptible unless it was boiled first (to remove the resin).

Keilim 13:1

Regarding a sword, a knife, a dagger, a spear, a sickle, a scythe, a razor, and barbers’ scissors, if any of these were separated into their component pieces, they are susceptible to ritual impurity. Rabbi Yosi says that the part that is closer to the hand (i.e., the handle) is susceptible but the part that is closer to the head (i.e., the blade) is insusceptible. If a single scissor was subdivided into its component pieces: Rabbi Yehuda says they remain susceptible to ritual impurity but the Sages say that they are insusceptible.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz