Down to the Shiloach Spring
When they became of age, the kids 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.
Arriving at the spring, they climbed down from the oxen and filled the vessels with water. Here, they could stand on the ground with no suspicion of becoming impure, since people are not accustomed to bury their dead under water.
Their mission accomplished and the water safely secured, the children climbed back upon the oxen, sat down again atop the boards, and rode up to the Temple Mount. Here, arriving at the eastern gate of the Temple, they were able to stand on the ground with no fear of contamination - for the Holy Temple was built in a special way so that it could not become impure.
These kids walked, vessels in hand, to the gate at the entrance to the Women's Court. There, a stone vessel known as the kelal was kept at all times, which held ashes of the red heifer. A child now takes from these ashes and mixes the proper amount into the water, preparing the mixture of "waters of sanctification." Then these kids would sprinkle the attending priest.
Will kids be called upon again to prepare the next Red Heifer?
Absolutely. We can't do it without the kids. Kids rule!
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