מסכת כלים

פרק כו משנה ה

אלו עורות

These hides

are tamei midras (as they are occasionally sat or slept upon):

A hide that one intended to use as a mat (for sitting on);

a hide that is an apron;

a hide that is a bedspread;

a donkey driver's hide (this was a garment worn by a donkey driver);

a flaxworker's hide (worn as an apron);

a porter's hide (placed on his shoulders to cushion his load);

a doctor's hide (worn as an apron);

a cradle hide (used to protect the cradle mattress from getting dirty);

a hide of the heart of a child (according to some, this was a protective garment; others say it was a bib);

a hide of a pillow (used to keep the pillow clean when sat upon);

a hide of a mattress (used to keep the mattress clean when sat upon);

are (susceptible to becoming tamei) midras.

A comb-maker's hide (either worn as an apron, or used to store combed wool)

(and) a comber's hide (that went on the comber's lap)

Rabbi Eliezer said is (susceptible to the tumah of) midras

and the Sages say is (susceptible to) the tumah of a corpse (but not that of midras, as they held that these were never intended for sitting or laying upon).

עב כסות

A garment case (a leather bag in which clothing was stored; some interpret this as a piece of thick felt used as clothing),

and a garment folder (a piece of leather in which clothing was wrapped)

is (susceptible to the tumah of) midras.

A case for purple wool (some say this was a leather bag used to store this valuable material; again others that it was thick piece of felt dyed purple),

and a (leather) folder for (storing) purple wool,

Beis Shammai say

and Beis Hillel say

is (susceptible to) the tumah of a corpse (but not that of midras, as people would not want to risk ruining these items by sitting on them).

A hide that was made into a cover for a utensil

is tahor,

but for weights

is tamei (as it would serve as a container for the weight);

Rabbi Yosi rules it was tahor

in the name of his father