Commentary for Shabbat 113:17

אמר רבינא

We learnt elsewhere: And the following constitute interpositions in the case of human beings: Wool ribbons, linen ribbons, and the fillet round maidens' heads.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When one takes a ritual bath, nothing must interpose between the water and his body. If one of these is worn it does interpose, rendering the bath invalid. ');">¹⁶</span> R. Judah said: [Ribbons] of wool or of hair do not interpose. because the water enters through them.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And reaches the skin. ');">¹⁷</span> R. Huna observed: And we learnt all with reference to maidens' heads.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., the wool and linen ribbons also mean those that are used for tying the hair. ');">¹⁸</span> R. Joseph demurred: What does this exclude? Shall we say it excludes [ribbons] of the neck, — and of what [material]? Shall we say, it excludes wool: [The question can be raised] if soft [material] on hard<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. the hair, which is hard in comparison with the skin of the neck. ');">¹⁹</span> forms an interposition, is there a question of soft upon soft?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Surely not, for it is more clinging, making it more difficult for the water to enter. ');">²⁰</span> Again. if it excludes linen ribbons, [one might ask] if hard upon hard constitutes an interposition, is there a question of hard upon soft?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Linen ribbon is regarded as hard in comparison with wool. ');">²¹</span> Rather, said R. Joseph. this is R. Huna's reason, because a woman does not strangle herself.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though ribbons cling more closely to flesh than to hair when tied with equal strength, they are always worn more loosely around the neck, for the reason stated. ');">²²</span> Abaye refuted him: Maidens may go out with the threads through their ears,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' They are inserted there after the ear is pierced for ear-rings to prevent the hole from closing up. ');">²³</span> but not with fillets round their necks. Now if you say that a woman will not strangle herself, why not with fillets round their necks?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For they need not be removed before a ritual bath, being loose; v. p. 267. n. 5. ');">²⁴</span> — Said Rabina:

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