2. “If the ashes swam on the surface of the water?” R. Meier and Rabbi Simon said, “one may take them and purify”; but the Sages say, “all ashes which have once touched water, cannot purify.” “If one have sprinkled the water, and the ashes be found at the bottom?” R. Meier and R. Simon said, “He may dry them and purify”; but the Sages say, “all ashes which have (once) touched water, cannot purify.”
3. “If one prepare water for purification in a trough, and there be a jug in it?” “Though its mouth be ever so narrow, the water therein can purify.” “If there be a sponge?” “The water in it is disallowed.” “How is one to act?” “He is to sprinkle till he come to the sponge. When he has touched the sponge, even if the water swim over it ever so little, it is disallowed.”
4. “One has put in his hand or his foot, or leaves of vegetables, so that the water of purification has run over to another vessel?” “It is disallowed.” If they were leaves of reeds or leaves of nuts, they are allowed. This is the rule: The thing which contracts uncleanness is disallowed; and the thing which does not contract uncleanness is allowed.
5. “If one divert a well into a vat-shaped pool or into a marsh?” “The water in them is disallowed for issues and leprosies, or to purify with it as with the water of the ashes of the heifer, since it is not filled in a vessel.”
Chapter VII
1. “When five persons filled five barrels with water of purification, to purify five persons requiring purification, and they changed their mind for one purification, or they prepared for one purification, and they changed their mind for five?” “They are all allowed.” “One person who filled five barrels to purify five persons requiring purification, and changed his mind for one purification?” “None is allowed but the last.” “Or he made ready for one purification, and changed his mind for five purifications?” “None is allowed but the first purification.” “If he said to one, ‘purify all those for thee?’ ” “None is allowed but the first.” “Purify all those for me?” “They are all allowed.”
2. “He who fills (water of purification) with one hand, and does work with the other hand, if he fill for himself or for another person, or if he fill for both at once?” “Both are disallowed, since work disallows in filling (water of purification) whether for himself or for another.”
3. “He who puts in ashes with one hand, and does work with the other hand?” “If it be for himself, it is disallowed; but if it be for another person, it is allowed.” “He who while doing work puts in ashes for himself and for another?” “His own is disallowed, and the other's is allowed.” “He who puts in ashes for two persons at once?” “Both are allowed.”
4. “Put in ashes for me; and I will put in ashes for thee?” “The first case is allowed.” “Fill water for me; and I will fill water for thee?” “The latter case is allowed.” “Put in ashes for me, and I will fill water for thee?” “Both cases are allowed.” “Fill water for me; and I will put in ashes for thee?” “Both cases are disallowed.”