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Nazir, 53

53b

QUESTION: The Gemara (according to the explanation of TOSFOS, DH Chatzi Kav) explains that when the Mishnah (49b) states that "Chatzi Kav Atzamos" is Metamei through Ohel, its main point is to teach us that *less* than a Chatzi Kav (i.e. a Rova Kav) is *not* Metamei through Ohel but *is* Metamei through Maga and Masa. The Gemara asks why the Mishnah needs to teach us that, when the same Mishnah states that an Etzem k'Se'orah is Metamei through Maga and Masa? If an Etzem k'Se'orah is Metamei through Maga and Masa, then certainly less than a Chatzi Kav is Metamei! The Gemara answers that the Mishnah is referring to less than a Chatzi Kav of bones that are crushed up such that there is not a single bone that is the size of an Etzem k'Se'orah. We might have thought that such a pile of crushed bones is not Metamei through Maga and Masa, and therefore the Mishnah needs to teach us that even in such a state it is Metamei through Maga and Masa.

The Acharonim (BIRKAS ROSH, CHAZON ISH) point out that the Chidush of the Mishnah cannot be that it is Metamei through *Maga*, because in order to touch a Chatzi Kav of pulverized bones, one must touch individual particles of bone, and it is not possible to touch all of the individual particles of bone at the same time. In addition, even if one manages to touch each particle at the same time, since each particle is separate and not connected to the other, when one happens to be touching them at the same time they are not Metamei, because the Gemara in Chulin (124b) says that when one touches two different items (that together make a Shi'ur) by coincidence at the same time ("Noge'a v'Chozer v'Noge'a"), they will *not* be Metamei. Rather, one must touch one item that has in itself the entire Shi'ur. Therefore, a Chatzi Kav of pulverized bone cannot be Metamei through Maga. The Mishnah, rather, is teaching that it is Metamei through *Masa*, through carrying the entire collection of pulverized bone.

The SIDREI TAHAROS in Maseches Ohalos (2:1) asks what is the Chidush of the Mishnah when it says that pulverized bone is Metamei through Masa? We know that an Etzem k'Se'orah is Metamei through Masa. Pulverized bone is made up of many pieces of Etzem k'Se'orah which were made into tiny pieces. The Gemara says earlier (52a) that an Etzem k'Se'orah that was split into two is Metamei through Masa. The Gemara there explains that this is the view of Rebbi Akiva and the Chachamim, and the only one who argues with this is Rebbi Yochanan ben Nuri. Why, then, in our Mishnah is it necessary to teach that when an Etzem k'Se'orah is crushed up it is Metamei through Masa? What is the difference whether an Etzem k'Se'orah is split into two parts or split into a hundred or a thousand? If one carries all of it, then it should be Metamei him!

ANSWERS:

(a) The simple answer would be that the Gemara is asserting that our Mishnah follows the opinion of Rebbi Yochanan ben Nuri who holds that an Etzem k'Se'orah that was split into two is *not* Metamei. Nevertheless, when there is a significant amount of crushed bones, such as a Rova Kav, then the Halachah is that they are Metamei through Masa, since there is a Rova Kav of pulverized bone.

(b) The CHAZON ISH suggests that even though an Etzem k'Se'orah that is split still retains is status as an Etzem k'Se'orah and therefore it can be Metamei when one carries all of the different pieces together, nevertheless when it is pulverized into powder, the pieces of bone are no longer recognizable as bone and lose their significance and are no longer called "Etzem" at all. Consequently, we might have thought that they are not Metamei through Masa, and therefore the Mishnah teaches that a Rova Kav of such bones *is* Metamei through Masa.

(It is not clear whether a smaller amount than a Rova Kav, such as crushed up bones the size of a k'Se'orah, would also be Metamei through Masa according to the Chazon Ish. Is the Gemara teaching that crushed up bones *do* retain the status of "Etzem" to a certain extent (and thus even a smaller amount than a Rova Kav would be Metamei through Masa), or is the Gemara teaching that even though crushed up bones do not retain the status of "Etzem" when there is only a small amount, nevertheless when there is a Rova Kav it is Metamei?)