Who is Pure Enough to Bring the Water?
Let's go back a bit. As we know, the water that was first brought to the altar built on the Mount of Annointing needed to be pure. For if he wasn't pure, he would diqualify the water from the start. The water was drawn from the Shiloach (Siloam) spring in the City of David. But who was pure enough to bring it?
The Mishna tells us the extraordinary way in which this problem was solved:
Special courtyards were built in Jerusalem, in such a way that they could not be penetrated by the force of impurity. Firstly, the houses within were built on top of solid bedrock which had never been disturbed or altered by man in any way since the dawn of creation. If the rock had been untouched until now, it was impossible for any body to have been buried underneath. Other measure were also taken in precaution.
Mothers would live and have their children within these courtyards. These children would spend their early years inside in the courtyard, not venturing outside until the age of eight. Thus, having been born in this protected environment and remaining within, they were never exposed to impurity in their lives. They were well cared for withing the courtyards, and yes, they did need to attend school.
These were the children who would gather the waters for the solution of "waters of sanctification," when the time came to purify the priest assigned the task of burning a new heifer and preparing its ashes.
When they became of age, they left the courtyard in a manner as unique as was their stay inside. Oxen were brought, and boards were placed across the oxen. The children rode out of the courtyards atop these oxen, sitting on the boards and carrying stone vessels to hold the water they will gather. In this way the young riders were protected from any chance of becoming impure while heading toward the Shiloach spring.
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