Mesorat%20hashas for Sotah 32:6

מאי טעמא דרבי ישמעאל דכתיב (ויקרא יד, נא) וטבל אותם בדם הצפור וגו' ותניא בדם יכול בדם ולא במים ת"ל במים אי מים יכול במים ולא בדם ת"ל בדם הא כיצד מביא מים שדם ציפור ניכר בהן וכמה רביעית

and it has been taught: 'in the blood' — it is possible [to think that they must be dipped] in blood and not in water; therefore the text declares '[over the running] water'. If Scripture [had only mentioned] 'water', it would be possible [to think that they must be dipped] in water and not in blood; therefore the text declares 'in the blood'. What, then, was the procedure? He brings water in which the blood of the bird is recognisable. What is the quantity? A quarter [of a <i>log</i>]. And [why is this instance not included in their enumeration by] the Rabbis? — That is part of the subject-matter; for thus said the All-Merciful, Dip in blood and water.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' So long as there is some blood in the water, even if it cannot be distinguished. ');">⁵</span>

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