Keilim 17:16-17

Keilim 17:16

The balance of a scale and a grain leveler that have a receptacle for metal, a carrying pole that has a receptacle for money, a poor person’s cane that has a receptacle for water, and a rod that has a receptacle for a mezuzah and for pearls are all susceptible to ritual impurity. Regarding these, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai said, “Woe to me if I mention these and woe to me if I don't mention them!” (These are utensils used to cheat and steal, so he doesn’t want to teach people about them, but he feels the need to inform people about them.)

Keilim 17:17

The base of goldsmiths is susceptible to ritual impurity but that of blacksmiths is insusceptible. A sharpening block that has a receptacle for oil is susceptible to ritual impurity but one that doesn’t is insusceptible. A writing tablet that has a receptacle for wax is susceptible to ritual impurity but one that doesn’t is insusceptible. Rabbi Akiva says that a straw mat or tube is susceptible to ritual impurity but Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri rules it insusceptible. Rabbi Shimon says that this dispute also applies to a mat or tube made from gourds. A mat made from reeds or hemp is insusceptible to impurity. A reed tube that one cut for use as a receptacle is insusceptible to impurity until all the fibrous tissue is removed.