Ohalot

Masechet Ohalot is the second tractate in Seder Taharot, which is the sixth and final order of the Mishnah. There is no Gemara on it. It is also called Ohilot and contains eighteen chapters which primarily discuss the laws of impurity of the dead in general and the laws of impurity of the tent of the dead in particular.

This tractate is considered one of the most important in the Shas according to King David's words in the Midrash, who requested that reading Tehillim should be considered like studying Negaim and Ohalot.

The Rebbe's Explanations

There are several sichos (talks) of the Rebbe on this tractate.

One of them deals with the law of "tzamid patil" (tightly sealed cover), which states that when there is a vessel in the tent of a dead person, if it is well sealed with something that spreads over its opening and completely seals it, the vessel protects whatever is inside it. The Rebbe, in his sicha, deals with the Rambam's words on these laws and explains them according to Chassidic teachings.

Additional Explanations

• Tosefta Chapter 15, Halacha 8. Likkutei Sichos page 72 (page 83)