Parah 12:2-3

Parah 12:2

Let’s say that a person sprinkled and there’s a doubt as to whether the water sprinkled from the thread or spindle reed, or from the hyssop. In such a case, the sprinkling is invalid. If he sprinkled on two vessels and there’s a doubt as to whether he sprinkled on both or whether some water from one dripped onto the other, the sprinkling is invalid. If a needle was attached to some earthenware and one sprinkled on it, and there’s a doubt as to whether he sprinkled on the needle or whether some water dripped on it from the earthenware, the sprinkling is invalid. A flask with a narrow opening may be dipped and withdrawn in the usual manner. Rabbi Yehudah says that this only applies to the first sprinkling. If the sanctification water diminished in volume, one may dip just the tips of the hyssop stalks and sprinkle, so long as the hyssop doesn’t wipe up water (as opposed to being dipped in it). If one intended to sprinkle in front of himself but he sprinkled behind himself, or vice versa, the sprinkling is invalid. If he intended to sprinkle in front of himself but he sprinkled to the sides in front of himself, then the sprinkling is valid. A person may be sprinkled with or without his knowledge. One may sprinkle multiple people and vessels at the same time – even 100 at once.

Parah 12:3

If a person intended to sprinkle something that’s susceptible to ritual impurity but he sprinkled something that’s insusceptible, if any water remains on the hyssop he may not sprinkle with it again. If he intended to sprinkle something insusceptible to impurity and he sprinkled something susceptible, then if there’s still water on the hyssop, he may sprinkle with it again. If he intended to sprinkle a person but he sprinkled an animal, then if any water remained on the hyssop he may not sprinkle with it again. If he intended to sprinkle an animal but he sprinkled a person, then if there’s still water on the hyssop, he may sprinkle with it again. The water that drips off of the hyssop is valid so it conveys ritual impurity as sanctification water.