Yaddayim chapter 1

Unit 7: Mishna 3 — Water used for washing

Text Version Audio Version

Mishna - Yaddayim 1:3

הַמַּיִם שֶׁנִּפְסְלוּ מִשְּׁתִיַּת בְּהֵמָה: בַּכֵּלִים — פְּסוּלִין, וּבַקַּרְקָעוֹת — כְּשֵׁרִים. נָפַל לְתוֹכָן דְּיוֹ, קוּמוֹס, וְקַלַקַנְתּוֹס; וְנִשְׁתַּנּוּ מַרְאֵיהֶן — פְּסוּלִין. עָשָׂה בָּהֶן מְלָאכָה, אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁרָה בָהֶן פִּתּוֹ — פְּסוּלִין. שִׁמְעוֹן הַתִּמְנִי אוֹמֵר: אֲפִלּוּ נִתְכַּוַּן לִשְׁרוֹת בָּזֶה וְנָפַל לַשֵּׁנִי — כְּשֵׁרִים.

Water that was rejected by an animal for drinking: In vessels — unusable, and in ditches — usable. [If] there fell into them ink, tree resin (gum), or copper sulfate; [enough] that their appearance changed — unusable. [If] they were used for work, or he soaked his bread in them — unusable. Shimon the Timni says: “Even if he intended to soak [bread] in this [water] and it fell into another [container of water] — usable.”

If an animal finds the water in a vessel repulsive, it is unfit for hand-washing. However, a Mikveh remains suitable for all purposes, including hand-washing, even if animals are repelled by its water, as this does not disqualify it. Nevertheless, if the water in a Mikveh visibly loses its appearance as fresh water, it becomes unusable*Mishna Mikvaoth 7:5-6, and this applies even more so to water in a vessel.

Regarding hand-washing by pouring from a vessel, if the water in the vessel has been used for work, it is disqualified. Shimon the Timni holds that this applies only if the water was intentionally used for work. If, however, the water inadvertently performed a desired function but still appears clean and resembles fresh water, he considers it usable.

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?