[Avodah] levels/gates of tuma?

[Sholom Simon]

I have often heard (in English) that b'nei yisroel had sunk to the 49th (of
50) level of tuma while in mitzrayim.  But when I read it in Hebrew, in
Chassidus, the expression is 49 "sha'arei tuma".

Why davka "gates"?  Is there a difference between gates and levels?  Is
there something deeper (no pun intended) about the word "gate"?

-- Sholom
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