כז ואין בודקין אותו במים שהמים עזין
27 need she take into consideration the possibility of a valid birth. Samuel, however, ruled: In either case<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. prev. n. mut. mut. ');"><sup>60</sup></span> must she consider the possibility of a valid birth.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. she must remain unclean for the prescribed period of childbirth uncleanness, but is not entitled to the privilege of the subsequent period of clean days. ');"><sup>61</sup></span> Samuel in this ruling follows his previously expressed view. For R. Dimi when he came<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' From Palestine to Babylon. ');"><sup>62</sup></span> stated: Never at Nehardea<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The principal town under Samuel's jurisdiction. ');"><sup>63</sup></span> did they declare [one who aborted] a sac<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Even if there was no bleeding with the abortion. ');"><sup>64</sup></span> to be clean<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., to be exempt from the period of uncleanness prescribed for a woman after childbirth. ');"><sup>65</sup></span> except in the case of a certain sac that was submitted to Samuel on which a hair that lay on one side could be seen through the other side when he said: If it were in fact an embryo it would not have been so transparent. BUT IF ITS LIMBS WERE FASHIONED etc. Our Rabbis taught: What is meant by a sac the limbs of which are fashioned? Abba Saul explained: A foetus which in its primary stage resembles a locust,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Reading (with R. Han. and R. Tam) kerashom (cf. Aruk.) Cur. edd. 'from its head'. ');"><sup>66</sup></span> and its two eyes are like two drippings<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. Jast. 'Eyes' (Rashi). ');"><sup>67</sup></span> of a fly. R. Hiyya taught: They are far removed from one another. Its two nostrils are like two drippings of a fly. R. Hiyya taught: They are near one to another. Its mouth is as narrow as a stretched hair,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'stretched as a hair thread'. ');"><sup>68</sup></span> its membrum<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When sex is distinguishable. ');"><sup>69</sup></span> is of the size of a lentil<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The case spoken of in our Mishnah (q.v.) is one of doubtful sex. ');"><sup>70</sup></span> and in the case of a female [the organ] has the appearance of the longitudinal [slit]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. the reading of 'En Jacob and infra 25b. ');"><sup>71</sup></span> of a barley grain; but it has no shaped hands or feet.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. fingers and toes are not yet articulated. ');"><sup>72</sup></span> Of such a foetus there is this description in the post-Pentateuchal Scriptures:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'acceptance', 'tradition'. ');"><sup>73</sup></span> Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favor, and Thy providence hath preserved my spirit.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Job X, 10-12. ');"><sup>74</sup></span> It<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A foetus in the conditions described. ');"><sup>75</sup></span> must not be examined in water because water is hard<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'strong'. ');"><sup>76</sup></span>