Question: But R. Yehudah holds that a Ba'al Keri is not Meharher! (Rather, he says the words!)

(Beraisa - R. Meir): If a Ba'al Keri does not have a place to immerse, he says Shema but does not say the blessings before or after;

He eats bread and says the blessings afterwards, but not before;

He does not utter [Shema or Birkas ha'Mazon] with his lips, he is just Meharher.

R. Yehudah says, he says all of them with his lips.

Answer (Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak): R. Yehudah equates the law of a Ba'al Keri to Hilchos Derech Eretz (proper conduct):

(Beraisa): "V'Hodatam l'Vanecha uli'Venei Vanecha... Yom Asher Amadta Lifnei Hash-m Elokecha b'Chorev" -- learning Torah should always be done with awe, fear, and trembling, just like at Matan Torah.

This is the source to permit a Bo'al Nidah (who immersed after relations), a Zav, and a Metzora to learn Torah, Nevi'im, Kesuvim, Mishnah, Gemara, Halachah and Agadah (even though they are Teme'im), and to forbid a Ba'al Keri (for this comes from frivolity).

R. Yosi permits a Ba'al Keri to learn Mishnayos that he knows fluently and can say quickly, but he may not teach others;

R. Yonasan bar Yosef permits him to teach Mishnayos, but not to teach Gemara;

R. Nasan bar Avishalom permits teaching even Gemara, but he may not say Hash-m's name;

Version #1: R. Yochanan ha'Sandlar says, he should not expound at all (lest he will need to cite verses);

Version #2: R. Yochanan ha'Sandlar says, he should not enter the Beis Medrash at all.

R. Yehudah says, he may learn Hilchos Derech Eretz.

A case occurred, R. Yehudah was a Ba'al Keri; he was walking along the riverbank, his Talmidim asked him to teach them Hilchos Derech Eretz. He immersed and taught them.

His Talmidim: But you taught us that a Ba'al Keri may teach Hilchos Derech Eretz!

R. Yehudah: For others I am lenient, but for myself I am stringent.

(Beraisa - R. Yehudah ben Beseira): Divrei Torah cannot become Tamei (a Ba'al Keri need not immerse to learn or teach).

A case occurred, a Talmid (who was a Ba'al Keri) was stuttering while reading the Torah. R. Yehudah ben Beseira told him, "Speak clearly -- Divrei Torah are not Mekabel Tum'ah!"

It says, "ha'Lo Cho Devari ka'Esh" -- just like fire is not Mekabel Tum'ah, neither are Divrei Torah.

(Beraisa - R. Yonasan bar Yosef): He may teach Mishnayos, but not Gemara.

This supports R. Ila'i:

(R. Ila'i): The Halachah is, he may teach Mishnayos, but not Gemara.

[Other] Tana'im [also] argue about this:

(Beraisa - R. Meir): He may teach Mishnayos, but not Gemara;

Version #1: R. Yehudah ben Gamliel says, both of them are forbidden;

Version #2: R. Yehudah ben Gamliel says, both of them are permitted.

Version #1 is like R. Yochanan ha'Sandlar, Version #2 is like R. Yehudah ben Beseira.

(Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak): Nowadays, people conduct themselves according to the lenient opinions of three Tana'im:

According to R. Ila'i regarding Reishis ha'Gez (giving first shearings to a Kohen);

(Beraisa - R. Ila'i): Reishis ha'Gez applies only in Eretz Yisrael.

According to R. Yoshiyah regarding Kil'ayim;

R. Yoshiyah derives from "Lo Sizra Karmecha Kil'ayim" (there is Kil'ayim even without the vineyard) that one is liable for Kil'ei ha'Kerem only if he seeds wheat, barley and a grape seed together.

According to R. Yehudah ben Beseira regarding learning Torah;

(Beraisa - R. Yehudah ben Beseira): [A Ba'al Keri may learn Torah, because] Divrei Torah are not Mekabel Tum'ah.

Version #1 (Ze'iri): Chachamim nullified the immersion.

Version #2 (Ze'iri): Chachamim nullified the washing.

Version #1 is like R. Yehudah ben Beseira (Ezra's decree was nullified).

Version #2 is like Rav Chisda, who would curse one who delays praying (some explain - until after the allowed time) until he can wash his hands with water.

(Beraisa): If nine Kabim of water were poured on a Ba'al Keri, he is Tahor.

Nachum Ish Gam Zu whispered this to R. Akiva, who then whispered this to Ben Azai, who then taught it to his Talmidim in public.

Amora'im argue about this:

(R. Yosi bar Avin or R. Yosi bar Zvida): He taught it to his Talmidim.

(The other of R. Yosi bar Avin and R. Yosi bar Zvida): He whispered it to his Talmidim.

The first opinion says that he taught it -- he wanted to publicize it to prevent Bitul Torah (to make it easier for Talmidim to learn) and to prevent Bitul of procreation (lest Talmidim be deterred by the need to immerse).

The second opinion says that he whispered it -- he feared to publicize it, lest Talmidim be with their wives too often, like roosters.

(R. Yanai): I heard that some are lenient (to rely on nine Kabim) and others are stringent (to immerse) -- if one is stringent, his days and years will be lengthened.

R. Yehoshua ben Levi: What purpose is there to those who immerse in the morning (from Keri)?

Objection: Why does he ask? He himself requires a Ba'al Keri to immerse!

Answer: Since nine Kabim suffice (for a sick person, and most Talmidim are considered weak and sick), there is no need to immerse.

(R. Chanina): Takanas Ezra was a great protection (against licentiousness)!

A case occurred, a man solicited a woman to have relations with him; she rebuked him -- there is no place to immerse here (you will be unable to learn afterwards)! He desisted.

Rav Huna (to Rabanan): Why do you [rely on R. Yehudah ben Beseira and] not immerse?

If it is because the water is cold -- you can immerse in a heated bath!

Objection (Rav Chisda): One may not immerse in hot water!

Rav Huna: Rav Ada bar Ahavah holds like you (he requires a proper Mikvah, not a bathhouse).

R. Zeira was sitting in a barrel of water in a bathhouse; he asked his servant, "Pour nine Kabim of water over me."

Question (R. Chiya bar Aba): Why is this needed? You are in more than nine Kabim of water!

Answer (R. Zeira): The Heter of nine Kabim is like [immersion in] 40 Se'ah -- just as 40 Se'ah works only in one way (immersion), also nine Kabim works only in one way (pouring).

Rav Nachman made a vessel holding nine Kabim (for Talmidim).

(Rav Dimi, citing R. Akiva and R. Yehudah Gelustra): The Heter of nine Kabim is only for a Choleh (sick person) who became a Ba'al Keri involuntarily (b'Ones), not for a Choleh ha'Margil (who brought it upon himself, i.e. had relations).

Rav Yosef: Rav Nachman's vessel is rendered useless.

(Ravin): A case was discussed in Usha, in R. Oshiya's porch; Rav Asi said, this is only for ha'Margil, but one who saw Keri b'Ones need not do anything.

Rav Yosef: Rav Nachman's vessel has been rendered useful!

Question: Why do Amora'im and Tana'im argue? Let us see what Ezra enacted!

Answer #1 (Abaye): Ezra enacted that a Bari (healthy person) ha'Margil must immerse in 40 Se'ah; nine Kabim is for a Bari who saw b'Ones; Amora'im argue about a Choleh:

Rav Dimi does not distinguish between Bari and Choleh -- ha'Margil must immerse, nine Kabim suffice for one who saw b'Ones;

Rav Asi holds that a Choleh ha'Margil is like a Bari b'Ones (nine Kabim), a Choleh b'Ones is totally exempt.

Objection (Rava): We do not find that Ezra enacted nine Kabim!

Ezra enacted that a Ba'al Keri must immerse (before learning Torah).

Answer #2 (Rava): Rather, Ezra enacted that a Bari ha'Margil must immerse in 40 Se'ah; later Chachamim enacted nine Kabim for a Bari who saw b'Ones; Amora'im argue about a Choleh:

Rav Dimi does not distinguish between Bari and Choleh;

Ravin holds that a Choleh ha'Margil is like a Bari b'Ones, a Choleh b'Ones is totally exempt.

(Rava): The Halachah is, a Bari or Choleh ha'Margil must immerse in 40 Se'ah, nine Kabim suffice for a Bari b'Ones, a Choleh b'Ones is totally exempt.

(Beraisa): If nine Kabim of water were poured on a Ba'al Keri, he is Tahor (to learn Torah);

This permits him to learn, but he may not teach others (or bless for them) until immersing in 40 Se'ah.

R. Yehudah requires 40 Se'ah in any case.

One of the following teachings was taught by R. Yochanan or Reish Lakish, the other was R. Elazar or R. Yosi b'Rebbi Chanina.

(Chacham A): The first Tana distinguishes between learning himself and teaching others -- this is only for Choleh ha'Margil, but nine Kabim always suffice for Choleh b'Ones;

(Chacham B): In every case, 40 Se'ah are required to teach others.

(Chachamim C and D are from the same pairs as above.)

(Chacham C): R. Yehudah requires 40 Se'ah in any case -- the water must be in the ground, not in a vessel;

(Chacham D): The water may be in a vessel.

Question: According to Chacham D, we understand why R. Yehudah said "40 Se'ah in any case," to permit water in a vessel;

But according to Chacham C, what does "in any case" include?

Answer: It includes Mayim She'uvim (water that was drawn in a vessel).

Rav Papa, Rav Huna brei d'Rav Yehoshua and Rava bar Shmuel ate together; Rav Papa asked to lead Birkas ha'Mazon, because nine Kabim were poured on him.

Rava bar Shmuel: But a Beraisa taught that nine Kabim permit one to learn, but not to teach or bless for others until immersing in 40 Se'ah!

Rava bar Shmuel: Rather, I should lead Birkas ha'Mazon, because I immersed in 40 Se'ah.

Rav Huna: I should lead, for I had no need to immerse. (Tzelach - this is better than a Tevul Yom (one who immersed today). Meromei Sadeh - Rava bar Shmuel immersed in Mayim She'uvim. This permits Divrei Torah, but he was still Tamei. Ra'ah, Shitah Mekubetzes - even though I am a Ba'al Keri, I may lead, for the enactment to immerse was nullified.)

Rav Chama would immerse on Erev Pesach to say Berachos on behalf of others (Rashi; alternatively, perhaps he would recite the Hagadah on behalf of others).

The Halachah does not follow him (nine Kabim suffice).

(Mishnah): If during Shemoneh Esreh one remembered that he is a Ba'al Keri, he does not cease praying, rather, he says abridged blessings.

If one descended to immerse:

If he can leave the water, get dressed and say Shema before sunrise, he does so; if not, he should cover himself in the water and say Shema;

He should not cover himself in smelly water or water in which flax was soaked, until adding water.

One must distance himself four Amos from it, and from excrement.

(Gemara - Beraisa): If during Shemoneh Esreh one remembered that he is a Ba'al Keri, he does not cease praying, rather, he says abridged blessings;

If one was learning Torah and remembered that he is a Ba'al Keri, he does not cease learning, rather, he is Megamgem (Rashi - says the words quickly; R. Yonah - says them unclearly, or omits Hash-m's name);

R. Meir says, a Ba'al Keri may not read more than three verses.

(Beraisa #1): If during Shemoneh Esreh one saw excrement in front of him, he should go four Amos in front of it.

Contradiction (Beraisa #2): He should go [four Amos] to the side.

Resolution: If it is possible, he should go in front of it; if not, he should go to the side.

(Rabah): If one prayed (in a place where there could be excrement) and later found excrement, even though he transgressed, his Shemoneh Esreh was valid.

Objection (Rava): "Zevach Resha'im To'evah" -- his Shemoneh Esreh was an abomination. (Tosfos brings two opinions about whether or not he prays again.)