Yaddayim chapter 1

Unit 5: Mishna 2a — Kinds of vessels required for washing

Text Version Audio Version

Mishna - Yaddayim 1:2

בְּכָל הַכֵּלִים נוֹתְנִין לַיָּדַיִם אֲפִלּוּ בִכְלֵי גְלָלִים, בִּכְלֵי אֲבָנִים, בִּכְלֵי אֲדָמָה. וְאֵין נוֹתְנִין לַיָּדַיִם לֹא בְּדָפְנוֹת הַכֵּלִים, וְלֹא בְּשׁוּלֵי הַמַּחַץ, וְלֹא בִּמְגוּפַת הֶחָבִית.

All vessels can be used to provide [water] for the hands, even vessels [made] of dung, stone, [or] earthenware. And [water] is not provided for the hands from the walls of vessels, nor from the hem of a Machatz, nor from the stopper of a barrel.

To wash hands ritually without immersing them in a Mikveh, water must be poured from a vessel. The vessel need not be elaborate; it can be made of simple materials such as dung, stone, or earthenware, provided it qualifies as a vessel.

If a vessel breaks, a fragment of its wall cannot be used to pour water for ritual hand-washing. Although the curved fragment may still hold water, it is no longer considered a valid vessel due to its broken state.

There are two interpretations regarding the identity of the Machatz. Some describe it as a utensil with a handle used for drawing water. Others identify it as a press for extracting fruit juice, with its base serving as a “stand.” The phrase “hem of a Machatz” refers to turning the utensil upside down to use the crevice in the handle or the indentation in the stand’s base to hold water. However, this part of the vessel is not designed to store liquid, and cannot be used for hand-washing.

Likewise, a barrel’s stopper or lid, even if it has an indentation capable of holding water, cannot be used for ritual hand-washing. Although it is used with a barrel to contain liquid, its primary purpose is not to hold liquid on its own.

Introduction

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Why during the First Temple period?

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Key Idea: Quarter-Log

The quarter-Log, is measured in cubic finger-breadths, with a dispute over its volume. Shmuel states*Jerusalem Talmud Pesachim 10:1: “Two by two by one and five-sixths,” yielding 7⅓ cubic finger-breadths. Rav Chisda states*Babylonian Talmud Pesachim 109a: “Two by two by two and seven-tenths,” yielding 10.8 cubic finger-breadths.

Modern authorities dispute the size of a finger-breadth. Some measure it by pressing a finger against a surface, widening it by over 12% compared to a natural finger-breadth. An average natural finger-breadth, without pressure, is estimated at 1.9 cm*Yad Peshutah: Hilchoth Eiruvin 1:13, resulting in a quarter-Log of 50.299 mL (1.7 US fl oz) for Shmuel and 74.077 mL (2.504 US fl oz) for Rav Chisda. Rav Chisda’s stricter view, is generally preferred for Halachic stringency.

Others calculate larger finger-breadths, yielding a quarter-Log of about 79 mL*Rabbi Yosef Qafih: Hilchoth Eiruvin 1:13 (2.671 US fl oz) or even greater volumes for Rav Chisda’s measure.
Key Idea: Tumath Yaddayim: — Ritual hand impurity, instituted by the sages.
Background information: First Temple Period — Roughly 850BCE to ~500BCE.
Background information: Second Temple Period — Roughly 430 BCE to 70CE.
Background information: Terumah — A small percentage of produce donated by farmers to Priests. An institution of the Torah.
Background information: Priests — The male descendants of Aharon from the tribe of Levi who work in the Temple, and do not own their own land.
Background information: Mikveh — A body of naturally occurring water which remove ritual impurity. An institution of the Torah.

Next Unit

Extra Material

Discussions
Additional Ideas

One hundred pairs of hands?

According to the smaller measure for a quarter-Log (7⅓ cubic finger-breadths), sufficient water exists to wash two pairs of hands held closely together. Doubling this to a half-Log (14⅔ cubic finger-breadths) suffices for four pairs of hands, reflecting a linear progression in water usage. A full Log could then wash eight pairs of hands and, in practice, extend to ten pairs, as residual water accumulates after each washing.

However, the Mishnah’s claim that a Log could suffice for one hundred pairs of hands is impractical. Even with the larger measure of a quarter-Log (10.8 cubic finger-breadths, yielding 43.2 cubic finger-breadths for a Log), the water available per pair of hands—each typically comprising ten fingers—is less than half a cubic finger-breadth (approximately 0.432 cubic finger-breadths per pair, or 0.0432 per finger). This amount is insufficient for effective washing beyond a limited number of people. Thus, the Mishna’s reference to “one hundred” is hyperbolic, indicating that a Log can suffice for the hand-washing of many people, but not much more than ten.

The number of pairs of hands a Log of water can wash depends on hand size relative to the average finger-breadth, the efficiency of water pouring, and whether washing extends to the knuckles or wrists. Using Shmuel’s calculation or Rav Chisda’s, a Log comprises 29⅓ or 43.2 cubic finger-breadths, respectively. For hands of typical size washed to the knuckles, with efficient pouring and hands held close together or lined up in a row to maximize efficiency, a Log typically suffices for 10–11 pairs. For larger hands, scaled to a proportionally larger finger-breadth, 14 to 17 pairs can be washed with an optimal technique, as the required water volume increases with finger-breadth size.
Points to Ponder

Can we determine the exact nature of the Machatz by considering why someone might turn it upside down to pour water with it? Does it hold more water in this position? Is there a reason it cannot be used to pour water when right-side up? Or does this Halacha simply provide an example of an item unsuitable for ritual hand-washing?
Further Reading
- Mishnayoth Khati - Order of Taharoth vol ii.
- Mishnayoth HaRambam - Mossad HaRav Kook - Orders of Kodashim/Taharoth.

Introduction

Why during the First Temple period?

Extra Material

One hundred pairs of hands?