There were bells, but I never heard them ringing TB Shabbat 58

We learned yesterday that certain objects were forbidden to be worn on Shabbat lest they fall off and the person accidentally carries it four amot the public domain. One such item in the mishnah was a kavul. Yesterday’s daf TB 57b defined the kavul is a wool cap worn under the net. Today’s daf TB Shabbat 58 gives an alternative definition. A kavul is some type of seal or badge a slave would wear to identify himself.

A baraita continues to discuss what else a slave may not go out Shabbat with. “The Master said that the slave may not go out with a bell that is around his neck, but he may go out with a bell that is on his clothes. The Gemara asks: With a bell that is around his neck, why may he not go out? It is due to concern lest it be severed and he come to carry it. If so, with a bell on his clothes too, let us be concerned lest it be severed and he come to carry it. The Gemara answers: With what are we dealing here? With a case where the bell is woven into the garment, and it is in accordance with the opinion of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, as Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said: Anything that is woven into a garment, the Sages did not issue a decree prohibiting going out with it on Shabbat.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The Gemara doesn’t limit wearing bells only to slaves. The Gemara analyzes the difference between a bell with a clapper and a bell without a clapper when it comes to being susceptible to ritual unreadiness, טומאה. Sometimes without a clapper, the bell can’t become ritually unready and sometimes without a clapper the bill can become ritually unready. The Gemara’s answer why this is so is simple.

“This applies only to the bells of a small child, since they are placed on him to produce sound. If the bell does not make a sound, it serves no purpose and, consequently, cannot become ritually impure (or as I define it as ritually unready). However, with regard to an adult, the bell is an ornament for him even though it does not have a clapper.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Unlike yesterday’s totefet and sarvitin, women still wear necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets with bells attached. Just Google pictures of jewelry with bells and you will see what I mean. I would say go ahead and wear these pieces of jewelry on Shabbat as long as they are not so delicate that you are afraid they will break or become undone and you will be forced to carry them four amot in the public domain.