One who is on his way to mix [the ashes with the living waters]: Behold, he carries a key and opens [a cabinet where the ashes are stored], or an axe and digs [to remove the ashes], or a ladder and transports it from place to place [to bring down the ashes], it is fit, because he is occupied with the mixing. But if once he takes out the ashes he [so much as] closes the [cabinet] door behind him, it is disqualified because he does work with it*. One who prunes an olive tree: If it is so that he can funnel [the ashes] into a reed tube (שפופרת) [used as a container for the mixture], it is fit. If it is in order to pick up a lot of ashes [at once], he is disqualified. [If] he stood [the container] upright on the ground, or he handed it to those standing next to him, if there are guardians [to watch over the ashes], it is fit, but if there are no guardians, it is disqualified. [If] he took the ashes and he saw that it is an excessive amount, and he put [some of] it back, it is fit. [If] he put the ashes [into a container] and he saw that it is an excessive amount, he takes from it and mixes it in [another] place. [If] the wind blew the ashes and they landed on top of the water, he dries them off and mixes with them, [and the mixture] is fit. [If] he put them to mix [but then changed his mind (see GR"A)], Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Shimon say, he dries and mixes, and the Sages say, whatever touched the water [before he changed his mind] may not be mixed.

[If] he poured out [the ashes] with his hand or with his foot or with a clay-rimmed sink*, it is fit because it was filled with a vessel. [If] he put the ashes [into a vessel] and afterwards put in the water, it is disqualified, and Rabbi Shimon deems it fit. Rabbi Shimon agrees that if he put in the ashes and afterwards put in the water, and he saw that there was an excessive amount [of ashes], and adds other water to it, he needs to mix [again], for the waters of purification may only be prepared by putting in ashes.

[If] he was standing and mixing and he trembled*, or he got tired, or his friend bumped into him, or the wind pushed him, or another came and mixed*, behold, it is disqualified, as it is said (Num. 19:17), "And they shall take for the impure" -- [this implies] that he should have a specific intention to draw, mix, and sprinkle. He may draw [water] for himself with one hand, or mixed it for himself with one hand, and perform work with one (i.e., the other) hand. [But if] he draws and mixes, [or] mixes and draws, for himself with both hands at once, all of it is disqualified. He may draw for another with one hand, and perform work with one hand. [But if] he draws and mixes, mixes and draws for another with two hands at once -- if it is for him, it is fit, [but] if is for another, it is unfit. When is this? At a time that there watchers there. [If] there are no watchers there, the mixing for others is like the mixing for himself. A drawing for himself with two hands at once in a single mixing is disqualified. In two mixings, it is fit.

Every thing that is in his hand and he did work [with it], whether there are watchers there or whether there are no watchers there -- it is disqualified. Every thing that is in his hand and he did not do work [with it] -- if there are watchers, it is fit, and if there are no watchers, it is disqualified.* He drew for himself and for another with two hands at once -- all are disqualified. He sanctified for himself and for another with two hands at once -- his is disqualified and the other's is fit. He drew [for himself] and sanctified for another with two hands at once -- his is disqualified and the other's is fit. He sanctified for himself and drew for himself for another [?] with two hands at once -- both are disqualified. He filled for himself with two hands, this one after that one -- the first is disqualified and the second is fit. He sanctified for himself with two hands, this one after that one -- the first is fit and the second is disqualified. He drew and sanctified for himself with two hands, this one after that one -- both of them are disqualified. He drew for another with two hands, this one after that one, [or] he sanctified for another with two hands, this one after that one, [or] he drew and sanctified, [or] sanctified and filled for another with two hands, this one after that one -- all of them are fit. He drew for himself and for another with two hands, this one after that one -- his is disqualified and his fellow's is fit. He sanctified for himself and for another with two hands, this one after that one -- his is fit and his fellow's is disqualified. He drew for himself and for another with two hands, this one after that one -- both of them are disqualified. He sanctified for himself and drew for another with two hands, this one after that one -- both of them are fit.

"Draw for me and draw for yourself," [or] "Sanctify for me and sanctify for yourself" -- all are fit. "Draw them for me and sanctify them for me," [or] "I will draw for you and I will sanctify for you" -- all are disqualified. "Draw for me and I will draw for you," [or] "Sanctify for me and I will sanctify for you," the first and the last are disqualified, and the middle ones are fit. And if there are watchers, all are fit.