We continue our study of the mishnayos of Maseches Keilim, and we are approaching the end of chapter 29. Today we will learn mishnah 6 and mishnah 7 of the chapter.
Mishnah 6 continues the discussion of the attachments and handles of various vessels: up to what point along a handle is it considered part of the vessel, so that it becomes tamei together with it, and from what point is it distant enough that it is no longer considered part of it. Here the mishnah returns to the example of the scales (the balance) and the cord or string that holds the scales in place.
We have already noted the distinction between the scales of gold merchants and of those who weigh fine purple dye, where only the three tefachim of the pans are considered part of the scales, and the scales of shopkeepers and householders, where the first tefach from the point where the cord is attached to the scales is considered part of them.
Scales for weighing heavy loads:
"Chut moznayim shel sorkim veshel shoklei zechuchis" - the cord of the scales of wool combers and of those who weigh glass. The combers weigh whole bundles of wool, heavy loads, and those who weigh glass need great care and attention lest the glass fall and shatter. In both of these the cord is considered part of the scales up to a measure of two tefachim from the point where it is attached to them.
"Yad hamakor" - the makor is a drill-like tool that has a handle. Here too the measure of the handle that is considered part of the vessel is two tefachim.
The rule of the Tosefta regarding the measures of handles:
The Tosefta gives a simple reason why for some vessels the measure of the handle is one tefach and for others two tefachim, and this is its language: "Es shedarko le'echoz beyado achas, kegon yad hakar - tefach" - a vessel that is normally held with one hand, such as the handle of the kar, is one tefach. Vessels that are normally held with one hand, such as an axe or a hammer, have a measure of one tefach; but a vessel that is held with two hands, such as that drill, has a measure of two tefachim.
Further measures of handles:
"Ligyonos" - from the word legion, legionnaires, soldiers. They carry a sort of axe that serves as a weapon, and since it is a heavy weapon whose shaft must be held with two hands, the two tefachim of the shaft are considered part of the vessel.
A goldsmiths' hammer - a hammer used to flatten and pound lumps of gold until they become flat strips or trays. This too requires a two-handed grip, and therefore the measure of the handle is up to two tefachim along its length.
A carpenters' and blacksmiths' hammer - here the hammer is especially heavy and requires a longer handle, and therefore the measure of the handle is up to three tefachim.
Some explain that the need for three tefachim does not stem specifically from the weight of the hammer, but from the fact that we are dealing with blacksmiths who work with molten iron, and iron is extremely hot. One who strikes the metal with this tool wants to keep a certain distance from the hot blade and from the molten iron, and therefore three tefachim are needed: two tefachim of space between the one holding it and the hot end of the handle, plus another tefach that he actually grips.
Let us move ahead in our study of the coming mishnayos.