What did they do with the ashes of the burnt cow?
Who is eligible to gather the ashes of the Parah Adumah and into what did he gather them?
Yoma, 43a: "Ish" comes to include a Zar, and "Tahor", even a woman, 3 (and it may be performed even at nighttime - Oznayim la'Torah).
Oznayim la'Torah: The same Kohen may gather the ashes, provided he Tovels - since he became Tamei whilst performing the Avodos of the Parah. 4
What are the implications of "ve'Hini'ach be'Makom Tahor"?
Yoma, 43a: It implies that a Cheresh, Shoteh ve'Katan, who do not have the Da'as to distinguish between a Makom Tahor and a Makom Tamei, are Pasul from placingthe ashes.
Seeing as "be'Makom Tahor" automatically precludes Machaneh Shechinah - which is called "Makom Kadosh" - why does the Torah need to add "mi'Chutz la'Machaneh", which means outside the Machaneh Shechinah (in the Cheil)?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because we would otherwise have thought that, besides placing some ashes in the Cheil, since the Torah writes "le'Mishmeres", some of the ashes are also placed in the Kodesh Kodshim - together with the jar of Manna and Aharon's staff , by which the Torah also wrote "le'Mishmeres".
What is the significance of the phrase "ve'Haysah li'Venei Yisrael le'Mishmeres ... "?
Rashi #1 (on Pasuk 22, citing R. Moshe ha'Darshan): Just as the sin of the Eigel is 'kept' (not forgotten) for future generations as a punishment, 1 so too should the ashes be placed as a keepsake for future generations.
Yoma, 42b: It means that gathering the ashes and filling the water 2 for mixing require guarding. 3
Tosefta Chagigah, 3:5: It teaches us that, even Amei ha'Aretz, who are not believed regarding Terumah and Kodshim, are believed regarding the Eifer ha'Parah. 4
Torah Temimah (in Pasuk 19): It teaches us that Nochrim are not subject to Taharah. 5
What is the definition of "Mei Nidah"?
Rashi: 'Water for sprinkling'. 1
Rashi: As in Michah, 3:53 and in Zecharyah, 2:4.
Why does the Torah insert "le'Mishmeres le'Mei Nidah" here?
Rashi #2 (in Gitin, 53b, citing the Sifri): The Torah writes "le'Mishmeres le'Mei Nidah" to teach us that, not only the cow, but also the water is disqualified 1 through work 2 and through Hesech ha'Da'as (taking one's mind off it). 3
Bartenura (in Parah 7:10): To teach us that, if one gives the Mei Nidah to a Tamei person to guard, it becomes Pasul, since the guard is not fussy about Tum'ah and they adopt a Chezkas Tum'ah.
What is the significance of ?Ve'haysah lachem le?Mishmeres??
Rashi (in Pasuk 22, quoting R. Moshe ha?Darshan): Just as the sin of the Eigel is ?kept? for all generations for punishment 1 , so too, shall the the ashes of the Parah Adumah be safe-guarded for purification.
Rashi, ibid.: Refer to 32:34:3:44.
Why does the Torah call the Parah Adumah "Chatas"?
Rashi #1: To teach us that it purifies. 1
Rashi #2: To teach us that, like Kodshim, it is Asur be'Hana'ah 2 (and is subject to Me'ilah - Menachos, 51a).
Targum Yonasan: Because, like a Chatas atones, it comes to atone for the sin of the Eigel.
Avodah Zarah, 23b: To teach us that, like a Chatas (Kodshei Mizbe'ach) it becomes Pasul if it is raped. 3
Chulin, 11a: To teach us that, like a Chatas, if it is a T'reifah it is Pasul.tuu
Sifri: To teach us that, like a Chatas, it is Pasul if a. the Kohen changes even one detail of its Avodah; b. it is Shechted she'Lo li'Shemah; c. it is Shechted at night-time.
What is the word "Chatas Hi" coming to preclude?
Menachos, 51b: It comes to preclude the ashes of the Parah from Me'ilah. Refer to 19:9:4:2.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that it is called 'Chatas' to teach that it is Asur be'Hana'ah. We should know this already since it is bought from the T'rumas ha'Lishkah? (Moshav Zekenim)?
Perhaps we might have thought that, since the money is used to purchase what is essentially not a Korban, 'Leiv Beis-Din Masneh aleihen' (Beis-Din make a stipulation that the money goes out to Chulin.
