Chullin Daf 25 צולין דַף 25

The next Mishnah states that what is tamei (i.e., susceptible to tumah) regarding wooden כלים is tahor regarding metal כלים, and vice versa. A Baraisa explains: גולמי כלי עץ – unfinished wooden utensils are tamei, but פשוטיהן – flat [wooden כלים] are tahor. Unfinished metal כלים are tahor, and flat metal כלים are tamei. Some examples of “unfinished כלים” include those which require polishing, adorning, planning, or lack a base or handle, but are usable for their intended purpose. The Gemara asks why unfinished metal כלים are not מקבל tumah. Rebbe Yochanan explains: הואיל ולכבוד עשויין – because they are made for functions of honor, and are not considered usable until they are complete. Rav Nachman says: הואיל ודמיהן יקרים – because their value is high, and are not considered functional before achieving their full value. The Gemara says that a practical difference between these opinions is unfinished כלי עצם – utensils made of bone, which are expensive, but are not used for dignified functions. [The Gemara proceeds to prove that bone כלים are susceptible to tumah.]

The next Mishnah states: החייב בשקדים המרים– what is obligated in separating maaser in the case of bitter almonds פטור במתוקים – is exempt in the case of sweet almonds, and vice versa. A Baraisa explains that regarding bitter almonds, small ones are obligated in maaser while large ones are exempt (because they are generally eaten while small, before they become too bitter). Regarding sweet almonds, the large ones are subject to maaser, while the small ones are exempt (because people generally wait until they fully mature). Rebbe Yishmael bar Rebbe Yose quoted his father as saying that both types of almonds (bitter and sweet) are חייב in maaser (when they are small). In another version, he said both types are exempt from maaser (when they are large). Rebbe Yochanan explains how large bitter almonds are considered edible: הואיל ויכול למתקן על ידי האור – because one can sweeten them through roasting them on a fire.

The next Mishnah states: התמד עד שלא החמיץ - “Temed” (a drink made by soaking grapeseeds in water) which has not yet fermented אינו ניקח בכסף מעשר - cannot be purchased with maaser [sheni] money (i.e., money used to redeem maaser produce), ופוסל את המקוה – and it disqualifies a mikveh which lacks forty סאה of rainwater. This תמד is considered water, despite its wine flavor. After fermenting, it is considered wine, and may be purchased with maaser money, and would not disqualify a mikveh. The Gemara objects from a Mishnah: המתמד ונתן מים במדה – if one steeps sediments and pours a measured amount of water onto them, ומצא כדי מדתו – and he later found the same amount he originally put in, the Tanna Kamma exempts it from maaser (because it is water, since the sediments did not increase its volume). Rebbe Yehudah obligates it in maaser, and assumes some of the water was absorbed by the sediments, and was replaced with wine from the sediments. The Gemara assumes that the Rabbonon always consider it water, even after it fermented, and Rebbe Yehudah always considers it wine, even before it fermented; thus, neither Tanna agrees with our Mishnah!? Amoraim answer that the machlokes is only where it fermented, and our Mishnah follows Rebbe Yehudah.