Final answer:
The correct answer is option 3) It must be broken.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Levitical laws found in the Torah, which dictate the cleanliness codes for the Israelites, a clay pot that became unclean had to be handled in a specific way. The law on this is found in Leviticus 11:33, where it is written that if something that is unclean falls into a clay pot, everything in the pot is unclean and the pot itself must be broken. This is in contrast to a metal pot which can be purified by fire and water. Thus, the correct answer is that an unclean clay pot must be broken.
These rules highlight the emphasis on purity and the separation of the sacred from the profane in ancient Israelite society. This particular law aims to prevent the spread of ritual impurity and underscores the belief in the material's capacity to retain uncleanness. The need for maintaining cleanliness reached all aspects of life, including the handling of household vessels. It is critical to note that these laws had spiritual implications rather than hygienic ones.