ב"ה

Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day

Parah Adumah - Chapter 11, Parah Adumah - Chapter 12, Parah Adumah - Chapter 13

Show content in:

Parah Adumah - Chapter 11

1

How is a person who is impure because of contact with a human corpse purified by the water of sprinkling? A person who is pure takes three stalks of hyssop and binds them with one bond. Each stalk should have at least one bud. He should dip the top of the buds in the sprinkling water while it is in a container, focus his intent, and sprinkle it on the impure person or utensil on the third and seventh days after sunrise. If one sprinkled after dawn, it is acceptable. After the water has been sprinkled on a person on the seventh day, he should immerse in a mikveh during the day, wait until nightfall, and then, in the evening, he is pure.

If one dipped the hyssop [in the water] at night and sprinkled it during the day or dipped it [into the water] during the day and sprinkled it at night, the sprinkling is invalid. Moreover, the water imparts impurity just as the water of the ashes of the red heifer does, as will be explained.1 [The sprinkling is not valid] unless the hyssop is dipped in the water and it is sprinkled from it on the third and seventh days after sunrise. If one transgressed and performed [these activities] after dawn, it is acceptable, as explained [above].

א

כֵּיצַד מְטַהֲרִים טְמֵא מֵת בְּמֵי נִדָּה. לוֹקֵחַ אָדָם טָהוֹר שְׁלֹשָׁה קְלָחִין שֶׁל אֵזוֹב וְאוֹגְדָן אֲגוּדָה אַחַת וּבְכָל בַּד וּבַד גִּבְעוֹל אֶחָד וְטוֹבֵל רָאשֵׁי גִּבְעוֹלִין בְּמֵי נִדָּה שֶׁבַּכְּלִי וּמִתְכַּוֵּן וּמַזֶּה עַל הָאָדָם אוֹ עַל הַכֵּלִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי אַחַר שֶׁתָּנֵץ הַחַמָּה. וְאִם הִזָּה מִשֶּׁעָלָה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר כָּשֵׁר. וְאַחַר שֶׁיַּזֶּה עָלָיו בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי טוֹבֵל בַּיּוֹם וּמַעֲרִיב שִׁמְשׁוֹ וַהֲרֵי הוּא טָהוֹר לָעֶרֶב. טָבַל אֶת הָאֵזוֹב בַּלַּיְלָה וְהִזָּה בַּיּוֹם אוֹ שֶׁטָּבַל אֶת הָאֵזוֹב בַּיּוֹם וְהִזָּה בַּלַּיְלָה הַזָּאָתוֹ פְּסוּלָה וְהַמַּיִם מְטַמְּאִין מִשּׁוּם מֵי חַטָּאת כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר. עַד שֶׁתִּהְיֶה טְבִילַת הָאֵזוֹב בַּמַּיִם וְהַזָּאָתוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי אַחַר שֶׁתָּנֵץ הַחַמָּה וְאִם עָבַר וְעָשָׂה מִשֶּׁעָלָה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר כָּשֵׁר כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

2

When a person became impure due to a corpse and remained several days without having the water sprinkled upon him, when he comes to have the water sprinkled upon him, he should count three days in our presence. The water is sprinkled upon him on the third and seventh days. He immerses in a mikveh on the seventh day and waits until nightfall.

To whom does the above apply? To a common person who comes to have the water sprinkled upon him. Even if he says that this is the third day after he contracted impurity, his word is not accepted, for perhaps he became impure on this day. Therefore, he must count the days in our presence. If, by contrast, a chaver comes to have the water sprinkled upon him, it may be sprinkled on him and his implements immediately.

When such water was sprinkled on a person on the third day, but it was not sprinkled upon him on the seventh day, he may immerse in a mikveh whenever he desires after the seventh day, whether during the night or during the day and the water should be sprinkled on him during the day, whether before immersion or after immersion. Even if he immersed on the night of the ninth day or the night of the tenth day, the water may be sprinkled on him on the following day after sunrise.

ב

מִי שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּמֵת וְשָׁהָה כַּמָּה יָמִים בְּלֹא הַזָּאָה כְּשֶׁיָּבוֹא לְהַזּוֹת מוֹנֶה בְּפָנֵינוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים וּמַזִּין עָלָיו בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי וּבַשְּׁבִיעִי וְטוֹבֵל בַּשְּׁבִיעִי וּמַעֲרִיב שִׁמְשׁוֹ. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּעַם הָאָרֶץ שֶׁבָּא לְהַזּוֹת שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ אָמַר הַיּוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי שֶׁלִּי אֵינוֹ נֶאֱמָן שֶׁמָּא הַיּוֹם נִטְמָא לְפִיכָךְ צָרִיךְ לִמְנוֹת בְּפָנֵינוּ. אֲבָל חָבֵר שֶׁבָּא לְהַזּוֹת מַזִּין עָלָיו אוֹ עַל כֵּלָיו מִיָּד. מִי שֶׁהֻזָּה עָלָיו בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי וְלֹא הֻזָּה עָלָיו בַּשְּׁבִיעִי וְשָׁהָה כַּמָּה יָמִים טוֹבֵל בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁיִּרְצֶה אַחַר הַשְּׁבִיעִי בֵּין בַּיּוֹם בֵּין בַּלַּיְלָה וּמַזִּין עָלָיו בַּיּוֹם בֵּין קֹדֶם טְבִילָה בֵּין אַחַר טְבִילָה אֲפִלּוּ טָבַל בְּלֵיל תְּשִׁיעִי אוֹ בְּלֵיל עֲשִׂירִי מַזִּין עָלָיו לְמָחָר אַחַר הָנֵץ הַחַמָּה:

3

It is acceptable for all of those who are impure to have this water sprinkled upon them. What is implied? The water may be sprinkled on zavim, zavot, women in the niddah state, women impure because of childbirth, on the third and seventh days after they contract the ritual impurity connected with a human corpse. After the sprinkling, they are purified from that impurity although they are still impure because of another type of impurity, as implied by Numbers 19:19: "And the pure person shall sprinkle on the impure," i.e., one may derive that the sprinkling is effective for him even though he is impure.

Similarly, a person who is uncircumcised may have this water sprinkled upon him. What is implied? If an uncircumcised person contracted the impurity connected with a corpse and had the water sprinkled upon him on the third and seventh days, he is pure from this impurity. When he is circumcised, he must immerse himself and may eat sacrificial foods in the evening.

ג

כָּל הַמְטַמְּאִין מְקַבְּלִין הַזָּאָה. כֵּיצַד. זָבִים וְזָבוֹת נִדּוֹת וְיוֹלְדוֹת שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמֵת מַזִּין עֲלֵיהֶן בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי וּשְׁבִיעִי וַהֲרֵי הֵם טְהוֹרִין מִטֻּמְאַת מֵת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן טְמֵאִין טֻמְאָה אַחֶרֶת. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר יט יט) "וְהִזָּה הַטָּהֹר עַל הַטָּמֵא בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי" הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁהַזָּיָה מוֹעֶלֶת לוֹ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא טָמֵא. וְכֵן הֶעָרֵל מְקַבֵּל הַזָּאָה. כֵּיצַד. עָרֵל שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּמֵת וְהִזָּה עָלָיו שְׁלִישִׁי וּשְׁבִיעִי הֲרֵי זֶה טָהוֹר מִטֻּמְאַת מֵת. וּכְשֶׁיָּמוּל טוֹבֵל וְאוֹכֵל בְּקָדָשִׁים לָעֶרֶב:

4

The optimum way of fulfilling the mitzvah of the hyssop is to use three stalks and for each stalk to have one bud. If at first there were three buds and then only two remained or if one took two at first and bound them together, it is acceptable. Should the buds open and the leaves fall off, even if only the slightest portion of each remain, it is acceptable, because as long as the smallest amount remains from a hyssop, it is acceptable.

When a stalk has three buds, one should separate one from the other and afterwards, bind them together, for the mitzvah is for them to be bound, even though this is not explicitly stated in the Torah. If one separated them, but did not bind them, or bound them without separating them, or used them for sprinkling without separating them or binding them, the sprinkling is valid.

When a hyssop is short, one should bind it with a string on a weaving needle or the like, dip it into the water, lift it up, and then hold the hyssop in one's hand and sprinkle with it. If he did not do so, but instead, sprinkled with it while bound to the needle and he was uncertain whether he sprinkled from the string, from the needle, or from the bud, the sprinkling is invalid.

ד

מִצְוַת אֵזוֹב שְׁלֹשָׁה קְלָחִין וְכָל קֶלַח וְקֶלַח גִּבְעוֹל אֶחָד. נִמְצְאוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה גִּבְעוֹלִין. וּשְׁיָרָיו שְׁנַיִם. אוֹ אִם לָקַח שְׁנַיִם בַּתְּחִלָּה וַאֲגָדָן כָּשֵׁר. נִתְפָּרְדוּ הַגִּבְעוֹלִין וְנָשְׁרוּ הֶעָלִין אֲפִלּוּ לֹא נִשְׁאַר מִכָּל גִּבְעוֹל מֵהֶם אֶלָּא כָּל שֶׁהוּא כָּשֵׁר שֶׁשְּׁיָרֵי הָאֵזוֹב בְּכָל שֶׁהוּא. קֶלַח שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה בַּדִּין מְפַסְּקוֹ וְאַחַר כָּךְ אוֹגֵד שְׁלָשְׁתָּן שֶׁמִּצְוָתוֹ לִהְיוֹת אֲגֻדָּה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִתְפָּרֵשׁ בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אֲגֻדָּה. פְּסָקוֹ וְלֹא אֲגָדוֹ אוֹ שֶׁאֲגָדוֹ וְלֹא פְּסָקוֹ אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא פְּסָקוֹ וְלֹא אֲגָדוֹ וְהִזָּה בּוֹ כָּשֵׁר. הָאֵזוֹב הַקָּצָר אוֹגְדוֹ בְּחוּט עַל הַכּוּשׁ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ וְטוֹבֵל בְּמַיִם וּמַעֲלֶה וְאוֹחֵז בָּאֵזוֹב וּמַזֶּה. נִסְתַּפֵּק לוֹ אִם מִן הַחוּט הִזָּה אוֹ מִן הַכּוּשׁ אוֹ מִן הַגִּבְעוֹל הַזָּאָתוֹ פְּסוּלָה:

5

One should not sprinkle with underdeveloped stalks of hyssop, nor with the seed pods, but with stalks. This is what is meant by underdeveloped stalks: stalks which have not reached maturity. Nevertheless, if the water of the ashes of the red heifer was sprinkled on a person with an underdeveloped hyssop and that person entered the Temple, he is not liable.

From which point should a hyssop be used for sprinkling? From the time it buds. When a hyssop has been used for the sprinkling of this water, it may be used to purify a person afflicted by tzara'at.

Whenever a hyssop is described by an additional term, it is not acceptable. The hyssop that is called a hyssop alone is the one which is acceptable. It is the hyssop that is eaten domestically. The species which are called Greek hyssop, red hyssop, desert hyssop, or Roman hyssop are invalid.

ה

אֵין מַזִּין לֹא בְּיוֹנְקוֹת הָאֵזוֹב וְלֹא בַּתְּמָרוֹת אֶלָּא בַּגִּבְעוֹלִין. אֵלּוּ הֵן הַיּוֹנְקוֹת גִּבְעוֹלִין שֶׁלֹּא גָּמְלוּ. וּמִי שֶׁהֻזָּה עָלָיו בְּיוֹנְקוֹת וְנִכְנַס לַמִּקְדָּשׁ פָּטוּר. וּמֵאֵימָתַי מַזִּין בָּאֵזוֹב מִשֶּׁיָּנֵץ. וְאֵזוֹב שֶׁהֻזָּה בּוֹ מֵי נִדָּה כָּשֵׁר לְטַהֵר בּוֹ אֶת הַמְצֹרָע. כָּל אֵזוֹב שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ שֵׁם לְוַוי פָּסוּל. וְהָאֵזוֹב שֶׁקּוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ אֵזוֹב בְּיִחוּד הוּא הַכָּשֵׁר וְהוּא הָאֵזוֹב שֶׁאוֹכְלִין אוֹתוֹ בַּעֲלֵי בָּתִּים. אֲבָל זֶה שֶׁקּוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ אֵזוֹב יוֹן וְאֵזוֹב כַּחְלִית וְאֵזוֹב מִדְבָּרִי פָּסוּל:

6

A hyssop that was worshiped as an asherah, came from a city that was led astray, belonged to a false deity, or came from impure terumah, is invalid. If it comes from pure terumah, as an initial preference, one should not sprinkle with it. If one did, the sprinkling is acceptable.

ו

אֵזוֹב שֶׁל אֲשֵׁרָה וְשֶׁל עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְשֶׁל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְשֶׁל תְּרוּמָה טְמֵאָה פְּסוּלָה. שֶׁל תְּרוּמָה טְהוֹרָה לֹא יַזֶּה וְאִם הִזָּה כָּשֵׁר:

7

When a hyssop was gathered to be used for kindling and liquids fell upon it, one may dry it, and it will remain acceptable for sprinkling. If it was reaped for use as food, even if the water was dried, it is unacceptable, because it is considered as impure for sprinkling. For all liquids, foods, and implements are considered as impure with regard to the purification process using the water of the ashes of the red heifer, as will be explained. If a hyssop was reaped to use for the purification process, it is as if it was reaped for kindling. Thus if a liquid fell on it, it may be dried and used for sprinkling.

ז

אֵזוֹב שֶׁלִּקְּטוֹ לְעֵצִים וְנָפְלוּ עָלָיו מַשְׁקִין מְנַגְּבוֹ וְהוּא כָּשֵׁר לְהַזָּיָה. לִקְּטוֹ לָאֳכָלִין וְנָפְלוּ עָלָיו מַשְׁקִין אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּגְּבוֹ פָּסוּל שֶׁהֲרֵי נִטְמָא לְהַזָּיָה שֶׁכָּל הַמַּשְׁקִין וְכָל הָאֳכָלִין וְכָל הַכֵּלִים הֲרֵי הֵן כִּטְמֵאִים לְעִנְיַן חַטָּאת כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. לִקְּטוֹ לְחַטָּאת הֲרֵי זֶה כְּנִלְקָט לְעֵצִים וְאִם נָפְלוּ עָלָיו מַשְׁקִין מְנַגְּבוֹ וּמַזֶּה בּוֹ:

Parah Adumah - Chapter 12

1

When the water of the ashes of the red heifer was sprinkled on a person who became impure due to contact with a human corpse, if even the slightest amount of the water touches any portion of the body of the impure person, the sprinkling is effective. This applies even if the sprinkling fell on the tips of his fingers or on the tip of his lips. If, however, the water touched his tongue, it is of no consequence. Even though the tongue is considered as a revealed organ with regard to contracting ritual impurity, as we explained, it is not considered as one of the revealed organs with regard to sprinkling and immersion.

Similarly, when a k'li contracted impurity from a corpse and the water was sprinkled on it, if even the slightest amount of the sprinkling water touches the body of the k'li, the sprinkling is effective.

א

אָדָם שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּמֵת וְהִזָּה עָלָיו כֵּיוָן שֶׁנָּגַע כָּל שֶׁהוּא מִמֵּי הַנִּדָּה בְּכָל מָקוֹם מֵעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ שֶׁל טָמֵא עָלְתָה לוֹ הַזָּיָה. אֲפִלּוּ נָפְלָה הַהַזָּאָה עַל רֹאשׁ אֶצְבָּעוֹ אוֹ עַל רֹאשׁ שְׂפָתוֹ. אֲבָל אִם נָגְעָה בִּלְשׁוֹנוֹ אֵינָהּ כְּלוּם. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַלָּשׁוֹן כְּאֵיבָרִים שֶׁבְּגָלוּי לְעִנְיַן טֻמְאָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. אֵינָן כְּאֵיבָרִים שֶׁבְּגָלוּי לְעִנְיַן הַזָּאָה וּטְבִילָה. וְכֵן כְּלִי שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּמֵת וְהִזָּה עָלָיו כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְגוּפוֹ שֶׁל כְּלִי כָּל שֶׁהוּא מִמֵּי הַנִּדָּה עָלְתָה לוֹ הַזָּאָה:

2

When one intended to sprinkle on two keilim or two people at the same time and one sprinkled water on one of them and then it dripped from the first to the second, the second remains impure until water falls upon him from the sprinkling and not from the concentration of water in another place.

If one sprinkled on two keilim and one was in doubt whether he sprinkled on both at once or the water dripped from one to the other, the sprinkling is invalid.

ב

שְׁנֵי כֵּלִים אוֹ שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּן לְהַזּוֹת עַל שְׁנֵיהֶן כְּאַחַת וְהִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מֵהֶן. וְנָטְפוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן עַל הַשֵּׁנִי הֲרֵי הַשֵּׁנִי בְּטֻמְאָתוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּפְּלוּ עָלָיו הַמַּיִם מֵהַזָּיַת הַמַּזֶּה לֹא מִן הַתַּמְצִית. הִזָּה עַל שְׁנֵי כֵּלִים וְנִסְתַּפֵּק לוֹ אִם הִזָּה עַל שְׁנֵיהֶן כְּאַחַד אוֹ מֵחֲבֵרוֹ נִמְצָה עָלָיו הַזָּיָתוֹ פְּסוּלָה:

3

When a needle was placed on a shard and one intended to sprinkle water on it, but a doubt arose whether he sprinkled on the needle or the water dripped on it from the shard, the sprinkling is invalid.

ג

מַחַט שֶׁנְּתוּנָה עַל הַחֶרֶשׂ וְהִזָּה עָלֶיהָ סָפֵק עַל הַמַּחַט הִזָּה סָפֵק מִן הַחֶרֶשׂ נִמְצָה עָלֶיהָ הַזָּיָתוֹ פְּסוּלָה:

4

The following laws apply when there are keilim that have several parts which are connected to each other with nails, e.g., a scissors that comes apart, the blade of a plane, or the like. At the time of work, they are considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling. When work is not being performed with them, neither is considered as joined to the other.

What is meant by saying that they are considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling? That if one of the parts contracts impurity at the time work is being performed, the second also contracts impurity. Conversely, if water was sprinkled on one while work was being performed with them, the sprinkling is also effective with regard to the other and it is as if they are a single entity.

What is meant by saying that they are not considered as joined, with regard to both impurity and sprinkling? That if one contracts impurity while work is not being performed with it, the other does not contract impurity. And if both had contracted impurity and one sprinkled the water on one at a time when work was not being performed, the other does not become pure, even though they were joined together at that time.

This is the Scriptural Law. According to Rabbinic Law, however, it was decreed that they should be considered as joined with regard to impurity even at a time when work was not being performed. This decree was instituted as a safeguard for the law applying when work was being performed. Whenever impurity touches one of them, the other also becomes impure.

They also decreed that they should not be considered as joined with regard to sprinkling, even at a time when work was being performed. This decree was instituted as a safeguard for the law applying when work was not being performed. Whenever one sprinkles the water on one of them, the other does not regain purity until the water is also sprinkled on the other. From this, it can be inferred that whenever it is mentioned that two entities are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but not with regard to sprinkling, this is merely a Rabbinic decree, following the pattern explained above.

ד

כֵּלִים הַמְפֻצָּלִין שֶׁמְּחֻבָּרִין זֶה לָזֶה בְּמַסְמְרִים. כְּגוֹן מִסְפֹּרֶת שֶׁל פְּרָקִים וְאִזְמֵל שֶׁל רְהִיטְנִי וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּיָה. שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לֹא לָזֶה וְלֹא לָזֶה. כֵּיצַד הֵן חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּיָה. שֶׁאִם נִטְמָא אֶחָד מֵהֶן בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה נִטְמָא הַשֵּׁנִי. וְאִם הִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מֵהֶן בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה עָלְתָה הַזָּיָה לִשְׁנֵיהֶן וּכְאִלּוּ הֵן גּוּף אֶחָד. וְכֵיצַד אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לֹא לְטֻמְאָה וְלֹא לְהַזָּיָה. שֶׁאִם נִטְמָא אֶחָד מֵהֶן שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה לֹא נִטְמָא חֲבֵרוֹ. וְאִם נִטְמְאוּ שְׁנֵיהֶן וְהִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מֵהֶן שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה לֹא טִהֵר חֲבֵרוֹ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן מְחֻבָּרִין. וְזֶהוּ דִּין תּוֹרָה. אֲבָל מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים גָּזְרוּ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה גְּזֵרָה מִשּׁוּם שְׁעַת מְלָאכָה. וּלְעוֹלָם אִם נָגְעָה בְּאֶחָד מֵהֶן טֻמְאָה נִטְמָא חֲבֵרוֹ. וְכֵן גָּזְרוּ עֲלֵיהֶן שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ חִבּוּר לְהַזָּיָה אֲפִלּוּ בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה גְּזֵרָה מִשּׁוּם שֶׁלֹּא בִּשְׁעַת מְלָאכָה. וּלְעוֹלָם אִם הִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מֵהֶן לֹא טִהֵר חֲבֵרוֹ עַד שֶׁיַּזֶּה גַּם עָלָיו. הִנֵּה לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁכָּל מָקוֹם שָׁאַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וְאֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לְהַזָּיָה אֵין זֶה אֶלָּא גְּזֵרָה מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם עַל הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

5

When two articles are joined together to the extent that they are considered as a single entity, e.g., one sewed together two garments or two parchments, they are considered as joined for both impurity and sprinkling, because they are a single entity.

ה

שְׁנֵי כֵּלִים שֶׁחִבְּרָן עַד שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ כְּגוּף אֶחָד. כְּגוֹן שֶׁתָּפַר שְׁנֵי בְּגָדִים אוֹ שְׁתֵּי יְרִיעוֹת הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּאָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן כִּכְלִי אֶחָד:

6

A launderer's sewing and a garment that is sewn with a forbidden mixture of fabrics that are about to be separated are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling, but are considered as joined with regard to impurity.

Baskets joined as a carrier, a threshing utensil, the feet of a bed, drinking horns of travelers, and a chain of keys, are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling. Instead, the water that is sprinkled must reach each individual basket, each individual key, each individual horn, and every beam of the bed that is assembled.

ו

שְׁלַל הַכּוֹבְסִין וְהַבֶּגֶד שֶׁהוּא תָּפוּר בְּכִלְאַיִם וְהֵן עוֹמְדִין לְהַתִּירָן אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לְהַזָּיָה וַהֲרֵי הֵן חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה. וְכֵן הַסְּלָעִים שֶׁבַּקַּנְתָּל. וְהַמִּטָּה שֶׁל טַרְבָּל. וְקֶרֶן שֶׁל כְּלִיבָה. וְקַרְנַיִם שֶׁל יוֹצְאֵי דְּרָכִים. וְשַׁלְשֶׁלֶת הַמַּפְתְּחוֹת. חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וְלֹא לְהַזָּאָה. אֶלָּא צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּגְּעוּ הַמַּיִם מִן הַמַּזֶּה בְּכָל סַל וְסַל. וּבְכָל מַפְתֵּחַ וּמַפְתֵּחַ. וּבְכָל קֶרֶן וְקֶרֶן. וּבְכָל קוֹרָה וְקוֹרָה מִמִּטָּה זוֹ הַמְפֻצֶּלֶת:

7

When a person joins three blankets of wool or six of linen or three sheets or twelve kerchiefs, they are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. Any more than the above quantities are considered as joined with regard to impurity, but are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling. One cloak, one garment, and one klubkerin, are considered as joined with regard to impurity and sprinkling, even if they are very long or very wide, no matter how large they are.

What is a klubkerin? Two garments are taken. Cotton is placed between them as a lining and then they are sewn together as one and worn as an outer garment for the winter.

ז

הַמְחַבֵּר שָׁלֹשׁ כְּסָתוֹת שֶׁל צֶמֶר וְשֵׁשׁ שֶׁל פִּשְׁתָּן. אוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה סְדִינִים אוֹ שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה מִטְפָּחוֹת. הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּאָה. יֶתֶר מִכָּאן חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וְלֹא לְהַזָּאָה. חָלוּק אֶחָד וְטַלִּית אַחַת וּקְלוּבְקָרִין אֶחָד הֲרֵי הֵן חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּיָה אֲפִלּוּ הָיוּ אֲרֻכִּין בְּיוֹתֵר אוֹ רְחָבִין בְּיוֹתֵר כָּל שֶׁהֵן. וְאֵי זֶהוּ קְלוּבְקָרִין זֶה שְׁנֵי בְּגָדִים שֶׁמַּנִּיחִין צֶמֶר גֶפֶן בֵּינֵיהֶן וְתוֹפְרִין אוֹתָן כְּאַחַת וְעוֹשִׂין מֵהֶן חָלוּק לִימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים:

8

When the covering of a samovar is connected by chains, when one sprinkles on the samovar, everything is purified. If one sprinkled on the cover, one did not purify the samovar. It is necessary to sprinkle on it directly.

ח

כִּסּוּי הַמֵּחַם שֶׁמְּחֻבָּר בְּשַׁלְשֶׁלֶת. הִזָּה עַל הַמֵּחַם טִהֵר הַכּל. הִזָּה עַל הַכִּסּוּי לֹא טִהֵר הַמֵּחַם עַד שֶׁיַּזֶּה עָלָיו:

9

A bell and its clanger are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. If one sprinkled on one of them, they both regain their purity.

ט

הַזּוֹג וְהָעִנְבָּל חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּאָה וְאִם הִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מֵהֶן טִהֲרוּ שְׁנֵיהֶן:

10

A spindle on which flax is spun or ropes are made is composed of three parts: a) the rod around which the thread is wound; it is called a kush;

b) the copper or iron hook at the top of the rod with which one spins and makes threads; it is called a tzinorah;

c) the ball that is in the center of the rod; it is called the pika.

When the spindle on which ropes are wound becomes impure, one should not sprinkle on the pika or the kush, only on the tzinora. After the fact, if one sprinkled on one of the three, everything is purified. If a spindle is used for flax, one may sprinkle on any of the three as an initial preference, for the three are joined together.

י

הַטֶּוִוי שֶׁטּוֹוִים בּוֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּים אוֹ שׁוֹזְרִין בּוֹ הַחֲבָלִים שְׁלֹשָׁה גּוּפִין יֵשׁ בּוֹ. הָעֵץ שֶׁמְּלַפְּפִין עָלָיו הַטָּווּיִ וְהוּא הַנִּקְרָא כּוּשׁ. וְהַנְּחשֶׁת אוֹ הַבַּרְזֶל שֶׁבְּרֹאשׁ הָעֵץ וְהוּא הַנִּקְרָא צִנּוֹרָא שֶׁבָּהּ פּוֹתְלִין וְטוֹוִין. וְהָרֵחַיִם שֶׁבְּאֶמְצַע הַכּוּשׁ וְהִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת פִּיקָא. הַכּוּשׁ שֶׁפּוֹתְלִין בּוֹ הַחֲבָלִים שֶׁנִּטְמָא לֹא יַזֶּה עַל הַפִּיקָא שֶׁלּוֹ וְלֹא עַל הַכּוּשׁ אֶלָּא עַל הַצִּנּוֹרָא. וְאִם הִזָּה עַל אֶחָד מִשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן טִהֵר הַכּל. וְשֶׁל פִּשְׁתָּן מַזֶּה עַל אֶחָד מִשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן לְכַתְּחִלָּה שֶׁשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן חִבּוּר:

11

A piece of leather used to cover a cradle that is connected by buttons is considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. The wooden frame placed on top of a bed is not considered as joined, neither with regard to impurity, nor with regard to sprinkling.

יא

עוֹר שֶׁל עֲרִיסָה שֶׁהוּא מְחֻבָּר לְפִיקוֹת. חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּאָה. הַמַּלְבֵּן שֶׁל מִטּוֹת אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לֹא לְטֻמְאָה וְלֹא לְהַזָּאָה:

12

All of the hollow handles of keilim - e.g., a knife handle and the like, i.e., the handle has an opening and the iron shaft enters it - are considered as joined with regard both to impurity and sprinkling. All protruding handles - e.g., the handle of a javelin in which a portion of the wood is inserted into the iron shaft - are not considered as joined with regard to sprinkling.

יב

כָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים הַקְּדוּחוֹת כְּגוֹן נִצַּב הַסַּכִּין וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ שֶׁהַנִּצָּב נָקוּב וְהַבַּרְזֶל נִכְנָס בּוֹ חִבּוּר לְטֻמְאָה וּלְהַזָּאָה. אֲבָל הַיָּדוֹת הַחֲרוּקוֹת כְּגוֹן עֵץ הַחֲנִית שֶׁהָעֵץ נִכְנָס בַּבַּרְזֶל אֵינוֹ חִבּוּר לְהַזָּאָה:

Parah Adumah - Chapter 13

1

Extra stringencies were instituted with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. A person who was pure - even if he immersed himself in a mikveh for the sake of sacrificial service and stood and served on the altar - is not pure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, nor with regard to the burning of the red heifer, drawing its water, sanctifying it, or sprinkling it unless he immerses himself for the sake of the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Afterwards, he is considered pure for that purpose.

Similarly, keilim - even a receptacle taken from the Temple Courtyard - are not considered as pure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer unless they were immersed for that purpose. Similarly, all foods and liquids - even if they are pure - are considered as impure in this context.

א

מַעֲלוֹת יְתֵרוֹת עָשׂוּ בְּטָהֳרַת הַחַטָּאת. שֶׁהָאָדָם הַטָּהוֹר אֲפִלּוּ טָבַל לְקֹדֶשׁ וְעוֹמֵד וּמְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֵינוֹ טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת וְלֹא לִשְׂרֵפַת הַפָּרָה וְלֹא לְמִלּוּי הַמַּיִם וְלֹא לְקַדְּשָׁן וְלֹא לְהַזּוֹת עַד שֶׁיִּטְבּל לְשֵׁם חַטָּאת וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִהְיֶה טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת. וְכֵן הַכֵּלִים אֲפִלּוּ מִזְרָק שֶׁבָּעֲזָרָה אֵינוֹ טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת עַד שֶׁיַּטְבִּילוּהוּ לְשֵׁם חַטָּאת. וְכֵן כָּל הָאֳכָלִין וְכָל הַמַּשְׁקִין אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן טְהוֹרִין הֲרֵי הֵן לְעִנְיַן חַטָּאת כָּאֳכָלִין וּמַשְׁקִין הַמְטַמְּאִין:

2

Any entity that is fit to lie on or sit on, even though it is pure with regard to sacrificial foods is considered like an entity to which a zav imparted impurity with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer until it was immersed with that intent in mind. Yochanan ben Gudgada would always eat according to the strictures of ritual purity required for sacrificial foods. Yet his head cloth was like an entity to which a zav imparted impurity with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer.

ב

כָּל כְּלִי הָרָאוּי לְמִשְׁכָּב אוֹ לְמוֹשָׁב אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא טָהוֹר לְגַבֵּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ הֲרֵי הוּא לְגַבֵּי חַטָּאת כְּמִדְרַס הַזָּב עַד שֶׁיַּטְבִּילוּהוּ לְשֵׁם חַטָּאת. יוֹחָנָן בֶּן גֻּדְגְּדָא הָיָה אוֹכֵל בְּטָהֳרַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ כָּל יָמָיו וְהָיָה מִטְפַּחְתּוֹ כְּמִדְרַס הַזָּב לְעִנְיַן הַחַטָּאת:

3

A derivative of impurity does not impart impurity to a person or to a k'li, even with regard to sacrificial articles, as we explained. Nevertheless, it imparts impurity to persons and keilim with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Therefore it was said that a person who sanctifies the water used for the purification process should not wear a sandal, lest liquids fall on the sandal and the sandal contract impurity. The rationale is that all liquids are considered as impure with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer. Then the person sanctifying the water will contract impurity by touching the sandal and thus the purifying water will become impure.

ג

כָּל וְלַד הַטֻּמְאוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְטַמֵּא אָדָם וְלֹא כֵלִים אֲפִלּוּ לְקֹדֶשׁ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. הֲרֵי הוּא מְטַמֵּא אָדָם וְכֵלִים לְחַטָּאת. לְפִיכָךְ אָמְרוּ הַמְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת מֵי חַטָּאת לֹא יִנְעל אֶת הַסַּנְדָּל. שֶׁמָּא יִפְּלוּ מַשְׁקִין עַל הַסַּנְדָּל וְנִמְצָא הַסַּנְדָּל טָמֵא שֶׁכָּל הַמַּשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין הֵן לִגבֵּי החטָּאת וִיתִטמֵּא זֶה הַמְקַדֵּשׁ בִּנְגִיעָתוֹ בְּסַנְדָּל וְנִמְצְאוּ מֵי חַטָּאת טְמֵאִים:

4

When only a person's hands become impure due to causes that render hands impure, e.g., he touched foods or liquids or the like, although he is considered as pure with regard to sacrificial food, and all that is necessary is that he wash his hands as will be explained, with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, his entire body is considered to have contracted impurity and he must immerse in a mikveh. Even if only one hand contracted impurity, it is as if his entire body contracted impurity. He is considered as impure to the first degree.

ד

מִי שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ יָדָיו בִּלְבַד בַּדְּבָרִים הַמְטַמְּאִין אֶת הַיָּדַיִם כְּגוֹן שֶׁנָּגַע בָּאֳכָלִין אוֹ בְּמַשְׁקִין וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא טָהוֹר לַקֹּדֶשׁ וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ אֶלָּא טְבִילַת יָדָיו בִּלְבַד כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר. הֲרֵי נִטְמָא כָּל גּוּפוֹ לְעִנְיַן הַחַטָּאת וְצָרִיךְ טְבִילָה. אֲפִלּוּ לֹא נִטְמֵאת אֶלָּא יָדוֹ אַחַת נִטְמָא כֻּלּוֹ וַהֲרֵי הוּא רִאשׁוֹן לְטֻמְאָה:

5

Any person who is required to be immersed in a mikveh, whether according to Scriptural Law or Rabbinic Law, imparts impurity to the water sanctified with the ashes of the red heifer, the ashes themselves, and the one who sprinkles them, through touching or carrying them. Similarly, he imparts impurity to a hyssop that has been made fit to contract impurity, water that has been drawn for this process but has not yet been sanctified, and an empty container that has been purified for this purification process. The latter three entities contract impurity only through touch, but not through being carried.

When an impure person touches a small portion of ashes of the red heifer, it is considered as if he touched all of them.

ה

כָּל הַטָּעוּן טְבִילָה בֵּין מִן הַתּוֹרָה בֵּין מִדִּבְרֵיהֶם מְטַמֵּא אֶת מֵי חַטָּאת וְאֶת אֵפֶר הַחַטָּאת וְאֶת הַמַּזֶּה מֵי חַטָּאת בְּמַגָּע וּבְמַשָּׂא. וְכֵן מְטַמֵּא אֶת הָאֵזוֹב הַמֻּכְשָׁר וְאֶת הַמַּיִם שֶׁנִּתְמַלְּאוּ וַעֲדַיִן לֹא נִתְקַדְּשׁוּ. וְאֶת הַכְּלִי הָרֵיקָן הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת. מְטַמֵּא כָּל אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ בְּמַגָּע אֲבָל לֹא בְּמַשָּׂא. וְטָמֵא שֶׁנָּגַע בְּמִקְצָת אֵפֶר חַטָּאת פָּסַל אֶת כֻּלּוֹ:

6

Primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of impurity are not counted with regard to the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer as are counted with regard to terumah and sacrificial foods.

What is implied? If there were ten persons who immersed themselves for the sake of this purification process and one became impure, even if he became impure only with regard to this purification process, e.g., his hands became impure, should he touch a colleague and that colleague touch another, and that one another, even if there are 100, they all become impure with regard to this purification process.

Similarly, when there are keilim that were purified for this purification process and one of them contracted impurity - even if only its outside contracted impurity for this purification process, e.g., liquids touched its outside - and this k'li touched a second k'li and the second touched a third, all of the keilim, even if there are 100, become impure with regard to this purification process.

ו

אֵין מוֹנִין לְחַטָּאת רִאשׁוֹן וְשֵׁנִי וּשְׁלִישִׁי כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמּוֹנִין לִתְרוּמָה וּלְקֹדֶשׁ. כֵּיצַד. עֲשָׂרָה שֶׁטָּבְלוּ לְשֵׁם חַטָּאת וְנִטְמָא אֶחָד מֵהֶן אֲפִלּוּ לֹא נִטְמָא אֶלָּא לְגַבֵּי חַטָּאת בִּלְבַד כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּטְמֵאת יָדוֹ בִּלְבַד וְנָגַע בַּחֲבֵרוֹ וַחֲבֵרוֹ בַּחֲבֵרוֹ אֲפִלּוּ הֵן מֵאָה כֻּלָּן טְמֵאִין לְחַטָּאת. וְכֵן כֵלִים הַטְּהוֹרִים לְחַטָּאת שֶׁנִּטְמָא כְּלִי מֵהֶן אֲפִלּוּ לֹא נִטְמְאוּ אֶלָּא אֲחוֹרָיו בִּלְבַד לְגַבֵּי חַטָּאת כְּגוֹן שֶׁנָּגְעוּ מַשְׁקִין בַּאֲחוֹרָיו וְנָגַע כְּלִי זֶה בִּכְלִי שֵׁנִי וְשֵׁנִי בִּשְׁלִישִׁי נִטְמְאוּ הַכֵּלִים כֻּלָּן לְגַבֵּי הַחַטָּאת וַאֲפִלּוּ הֵן מֵאָה:

7

Whenever an article that is fit to contract impurity if it would support a zav - even though it is pure with regard to sacrificial foods - was moved by a person who purified himself for the sake of this purification process, he contracts impurity, even though he did not touch it.

Similarly, when a person who purified himself for the sake of this purification process moves a person who is not pure in this context or he moves the spittle or the urine of the latter person, he becomes impure, even though he did not touch him. A k'li that is not fit to contract impurity if it would support a zav, by contrast, does not impart impurity to a person who has purified himself for the sake of this purification process unless he touches it.

ז

כָּל הָרָאוּי לְהִתְטַמֵּא בְּמִדְרַס הַזָּב אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא טָהוֹר לְקֹדֶשׁ אִם הֵנִידוֹ הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת נִטְמָא אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נָגַע בּוֹ. וְכֵן הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת שֶׁהֵנִיד אֶת הָאָדָם שֶׁאֵינוֹ טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת. אוֹ שֶׁהֵנִיד אֶת רֻקּוֹ אוֹ אֶת מֵימֵי רַגְלָיו שֶׁל אָדָם זֶה. נִטְמָא אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נָגַע בּוֹ. אֲבָל כְּלִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ רָאוּי לְמִדְרָס אֵינוֹ מְטַמֵּא אֶת הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נָגַע בּוֹ:

8

If a k'li that is impure because of contact with a human corpse is moved by a person who has purified himself for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, he becomes impure even though he did not touch it and even though generally an article that is impure because of contact with a corpse does not impart impurity when carried, as we explained.

What is implied? There was a key that was impure due to contact with a corpse that was hanging from a door. A person who purified himself for this purification process closed the door. Since he moved the key which was impure, he himself contracts impurity. Similarly, if he moves the carcass of a crawling animal or semen, he becomes impure with regard to this purification process even though generally these do not impart impurity when carried, as will be explained.

ח

כְּלִי הַטָּמֵא בִּטְמֵא מֵת אִם הֵנִידוֹ הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת נִטְמָא וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נָגַע בּוֹ וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין טְמֵא מֵת מְטַמֵּא בְּמַשָּׂא כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. כֵּיצַד. מַפְתֵּחַ שֶׁהוּא טְמֵא מֵת שֶׁהָיָה תָּלוּי בַּדֶּלֶת וְסָגַר הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת אֶת הַדֶּלֶת הוֹאִיל וְהֵנִיד אֶת הַמַּפְתֵּחַ הַטָּמֵא נִטְמָא. וְכֵן אִם הֵסִיט אֶת הַשֶּׁרֶץ וְאֶת שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע הֲרֵי זֶה טָמֵא לְחַטָּאת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין אֵלּוּ מְטַמְּאִין בְּמַשָּׂא כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר:

9

When a person who purified himself for this purification process touches articles that were above a zav or the like, these are called madaf, he is considered impure with regard to this purification process, even though he is pure with regard to sacrificial foods. Similarly, when a k'li that was purified for this purification process touches a madaf, it contracts impurity with regard to this purification process.

ט

הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת שֶׁנָּגַע בְּכֵלִים שֶׁהָיוּ לְמַעְלָה מִן הַזָּב וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ וְהֵן הַנִּקְרָאִין מַדָּף אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא טָהוֹר לְקֹדֶשׁ נִטְמָא לְחַטָּאת. וְכֵן כְּלִי הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת שֶׁנָּגַע בְּמַדָּף נִטְמָא לְחַטָּאת:

10

The following laws apply when a person who purified himself for this purification process touches foods or liquids, whether impure or pure. No distinction is made between them, because there are no foods or liquids that are considered as pure with regard to this purification process.

If a person touches foods or liquids with his hands, his entire body becomes impure, as we explained. If he touches them with his foot or other portions of his body, or moves them with his hands without touching them, he remains pure. Similarly, if, with his hands, he touched an oven or the like, i.e., other articles that were not purified for the sake of this purification process, his entire body contracts impurity. If, however, he touches such articles with his feet, his status of purity remains unchanged, even with regard to this purification process.

י

הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת שֶׁנָּגַע בָּאֳכָלִין וּמַשְׁקִין בֵּין טְהוֹרִין בֵּין טְמֵאִים שֶׁכָּל אֳכָלִין וּמַשְׁקִין לְגַבֵּי חַטָּאת אֵינָן טְהוֹרִין אִם נָגַע בָּהֶן בְּיָדוֹ נִטְמָא כָּל גּוּפוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. נָגַע בָּהֶן בְּרַגְלוֹ אוֹ בִּשְׁאָר גּוּפוֹ אוֹ שֶׁהֱסִיטָן בְּיָדוֹ וְלֹא נָגַע בָּהֶן טָהוֹר. וְכֵן אִם נָגַע בְּתַנּוּר וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ מִשְׁאָר כֵּלִים שֶׁאֵינָם טְהוֹרִין לְחַטָּאת נִטְמָא כֻּלּוֹ. אֲבָל אִם נָגַע בְּרַגְלוֹ בָּהֶן הֲרֵי הוּא טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיָה:

11

When a person who purified himself for this purification process inserted his head and the majority of his body into water that was drawn for the sake of this purification process, he contracts impurity, because the water has been drawn. For it is a Rabbinical decree that anyone who inserts his head and the majority of his body into water that was drawn contracts impurity, as will be explained.

יא

הַטָּהוֹר לְחַטָּאת שֶׁהִכְנִיס רֹאשׁוֹ וְרֻבּוֹ לְתוֹךְ מַיִם שֶׁנִּתְמַלְּאוּ לְחַטָּאת נִטְמָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן שְׁאוּבִין. וּמִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים שֶׁהַבָּא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרֻבּוֹ בְּמַיִם שְׁאוּבִין נִטְמָא כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר:

12

Everyone's word is accepted with regard to the ritual purity of articles and persons involved in this purification process, even that of the common people. The rationale is that because of all the stringencies and extra measures applied to it, everyone is careful with regard to it. This is alluded to in the Torah which states Numbers 19:9: "And it will be for the congregation of Israel for safekeeping." Implied is that all of Israel are fit for its safekeeping.

Therefore if a common person brings an earthenware container from his home and says: "This container is pure for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer," it is considered as pure. Water may be sanctified in it and sprinkled from it even though this container would be considered as impure for sacrificial foods and for terumah. Similarly, if a common person says: "I have purified myself for the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer" or the water for this process was in his possession and he says that it is pure, his word is accepted. For no Jewish person treats this purification process lightly.

יב

הַכּל נֶאֱמָנִין עַל טָהֳרַת הַחַטָּאת וַאֲפִלּוּ עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי חֻמְרָתָהּ. וּמַעֲלוֹת אֵלּוּ שֶׁעָשׂוּ בָּהּ הַכּל נִזְהָרִין בָּהּ. וַהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בַּתּוֹרָה (במדבר יט ט) "וְהָיְתָה לַעֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת" כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל רְאוּיִין לִשְׁמִירָה. לְפִיכָךְ עַם הָאָרֶץ שֶׁהֵבִיא כְּלִי מִבֵּיתוֹ אֲפִלּוּ כְּלִי חֶרֶס וְאָמַר כְּלִי זֶה טָהוֹר לְחַטָּאת הֲרֵי זֶה טָהוֹר וּמְקַדְּשִׁין בּוֹ וּמַזִּין מִמֶּנּוּ. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאוֹתוֹ כְּלִי טָמֵא לְקֹדֶשׁ וְלִתְרוּמָה. וְכֵן עַם הָאָרֶץ שֶׁאָמַר טָהוֹר אֲנִי לְחַטָּאת אוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ מֵי חַטָּאת אֶצְלוֹ וְאָמַר טְהוֹרִין הֵן נֶאֱמָן. שֶׁאֵין אָדָם מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל מְזַלְזֵל בָּהּ:

Quiz Yourself on Parah Adumah Chapter 11

Quiz Yourself on Parah Adumah Chapter 12

Quiz Yourself on Parah Adumah Chapter 13

Footnotes for Parah Adumah - Chapter 11
1.

As indicated by Chapter 15, Halachah 1, the water from an invalid sprinkling imparts impurity.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.
Download Rambam Study Schedules: 3 Chapters | 1 Chapter | Daily Mitzvah
Published and copyright by Moznaim Publications, all rights reserved.
To purchase this book or the entire series, please click here.
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
Vowelized Hebrew text courtesy Torat Emet under CC 2.5 license.
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.