Keilim 16:8-17:1

Keilim 16:8

Regarding a sheath for a sword, a knife, a dagger, scissors, shears or a razor, the case of a mascara applicator, a jar of makeup, a stylus, a portfolio, a tablet or a board, and a quiver for arrows or javelins, all of these things are susceptible to ritual impurity. The case for a bagpipe is susceptible to impurity if the instrument is inserted from the top but if it is inserted on the side, it is insusceptible. Rabbi Yehuda says that a case for flutes is insusceptible because they are inserted on the side. The cover for a mace, a bow or a spear is insusceptible to impurity. The general rule is that whatever serves as a case is susceptible to ritual impurity but that which serves as a covering is insusceptible.

Keilim 17:1

Homeowners’ utensils are measured based on pomegranates (i.e., they are purified based on a hole through which a pomegranate might pass); Rabbi Eliezer says that it is depends on the utensil’s use. The size for gardeners’ baskets is based on the size of vegetable bundles; homeowners’ baskets are based on bundles of straw; bathhouse attendants’ baskets are based on bundles of chaff. Rabbi Yehoshua says that the standard for all of these is pomegranates.