For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 81
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Steinsalz writes:
In the context of the discussion on whether a vow to refrain from bathing is considered innuy nefesh – suffering of the soul – the Gemara quotes a statement made by the Sages of Israel: be careful with regard to irbuvita be careful to learn Torah with habura and be sensitive to the children of the poor, because they will be the ones from whom Torah will come.
The term irbuvita appears to mean grime, although some interpret it to mean a mixture, that is to say, filth mixed in a person’s hair or clothing. Different manuscripts offer variant readings of this word (e.g., harfifuta or arpufita) whose meanings are not clear. Nevertheless, they seem to indicate that this is a unique word for filthy conditions, perhaps a situation where things begin to get stuck together because of the dirt.
We continue our exploration of the history of grime and attempts in modernity to commercialize cleanliness and detergent products.