An earthenware fragment that cannot stand because of its handle, or it has a protrusion and the protrusion tilts it, is tahor. [If] the handle was removed [or] the protrusion broke off, it is [still] tahor; R’ Yehudah rules [it] tamei. A barrel whose bottom fell out but is able to contain on its walls, or it split [and became] like two troughs: R’ Yehudah rules [it] tahor, but the Sages rule [it] tamei.

A barrel that has fractured and cannot be transported with a half-kav of dried figs is tahor. A gistera that has fractured and cannot contain liquids, although it can contain [solid] foods, is tahor, since there are no remnants for remnants.

Which [damaged utensil] is a gistera? Any [utensil] whose handles have been removed. [If] it had protrusions jutting out: Any [protrusion] that can contain olives transmits tumah via contact, and opposite [that area] transmits tumah via airspace; any [protrusion] that cannot contain olives transmits tumah via contact, but opposite [that area] does not transmit tumah via airspace. [If] it was resting on its side, like a katedra: Any [protrusion] that can contain olives transmits tumah via contact, and opposite [that area] transmits tumah via airspace; any [protrusion] that cannot contain olives transmits tumah via contact, but opposite [that area] does not transmit tumah via airspace. The bottoms of Kurfian [utensils] and the bottoms of Sidonian cups — even though they cannot stand without support — are tamei, since this is how they were initially made.

An earthenware utensil that has three rims: [If] the inner one is higher, everything is tahor; [if] the outer one is higher, everything is tamei; [if] the middle one is higher, [then everything] from it and inward is tamei, [while everything] from it and outward is tahor. [If] they were even: R’ Yehudah says: We divide the middle [receptacle]. But the Sages say: Everything is tahor. From which point do earthenware utensils contract tumah? From when they are fired in the kiln, and this is the completion of their manufacture.