[Regarding] a tefillin [consisting of of] four utensils: [If] one separated the first compartment and [then] repaired it, it is tamei with corpse-tumah, and the same applies to the second [compartment], and the same applies to the third [compartment]. If he separated the fourth one, [the tefillin] is tahor from corpse-tumah, but it is tamei with tumah [due to] contact with a t’mei meis. If he went back to the first [compartment] and separated it and then repaired it, it is tamei due to contact, and the same applies to the second [compartment]. If he separated the third [compartment], [the entire tefillin] is tahor, because the fourth one is [only tamei] as a result of contact, and [an object contaminated through] contact [with an av hatumah] cannot create [tumah through] contact [with a utensil].

A bed of which half was stolen, or half was lost, or which was divided by brothers, or [divided by] partners, is tahor. If they put it back together, it is susceptible to tumah from now on. [The components of] a bed can contract tumah as a unit, and [they] can be purified as a unit, [these are] the words of R’ Eliezer. But the Sages say: [They] can contract tumah [only as individual] parts, and can be purified [only as individual] parts.

One who disassembles a bed in order to immerse it, and one who touches its ropes, are tahor. At what point is the rope [considered] connected to the bed? From when three battim are woven into [the bed]. And one who touches [the rope] from the knot and inward is tamei. [If he touches the rope] from the knot and outward, [he is] tahor. [Regarding] the strands of the knot, one who touches the [part] necessary [for the knot] is tamei. And how much [of the strand] is necessary [for the knot]? R’ Yehudah says: Three fingerwidths.

[R egarding] the rope that extends from the bed, until five handbreadths, it is tahor. From five until ten [handbreadths], it is tamei. From ten [handbreadths] and beyond, it is tahor, for with [this rope], they would tie the pesach-offering [to the beds], and would lower the beds.