ds of R. Meier; but the Sages "disallow him
in tithes." After his entering (water) he is permitted in all these. And
if he come to the temple whether before or after entering water, he is
free.

6. Everyone charged to enter water, whether by the words of the Law or the
words of the Scribes, renders unclean the water for purification and the
ashes for purification, and the sprinkler of the water of purification, by
touching or lifting. "The hyssop, and the water without ashes, and empty
vessels cleansed for purification (render unclean), by touching or
lifting," the words of R. Meier; but the Sages say, "by touching, but not
by lifting."

7. All hyssop which has a distinctive name is forbidden, simple hyssop is
allowed; Grecian hyssop, colored hyssop, Roman hyssop, desert hyssop, are
forbidden, and that of the unclean heave-offering is forbidden, but if it
were of the clean (heave-offering) one should not sprinkle with it, but if
one sprinkled with it, it is allowed. Men must not sprinkle with the
sprouts or the berries of hyssop. When sprinkled with the sprouts, they
are not prevented from entering the temple. R. Eliezer said, "not even
with the berries." These are sprouts--stalks which have not ripened.

8. Hyssop used for sprinkling is allowed to cleanse the leper. "If one
gathered it for wood, and fluid fell on it?" "He may dry it, and it is
allowed." "If one gathered it for food, and fluid fell on it?" "Even
though he dried it, it is disallowed." "If one gathered it for
purification?" "It is reckoned as food," the words of R. Meier. R. Judah
and R. Jose and R. Simon say, "it is reckoned as wood."

9. The order of the hyssop (requires) three roots, and in them three
stalks. R. Judah said, "to every root three stalks." Hyssop which has
three roots is to be separated and bound; if separated and not bound, if
bound and not separated, if neither separated nor bound, it is allowed. R.
Jose said, "the order of the hyssop is three roots and in them three
stalks, and if there remain over from sprinkling two, and their fibres
however small, they are allowed."

Chapter XII

1. Short hyssop is made sufficient for sprinkling with a thread and
spindle, and it is dipped and lifted, and one holds the hyssop and
sprinkles. R. Judah and R. Simon say, "as is the rule for sprinkling with
the hyssop, so is the dipping with the hyssop" (_i.e._, in holding it).

2. "If one sprinkled and there is a doubt if the water with ashe