[open]Would Heifer Water Hurt?

[Athaliamum]

Yes I know another strange question by me. When reading about the hiefer and how it was to be burned and it's ashes placed in water which the priests ect. were meant to wash themselves with, I wonder if it would hurt?

Maybe some background as to why I ask this question. I like to dabble in all things self-sustainable, this includes making my own soap. The three main ingredients to real soap is ashes, fat and water. The ashes are put into a barrel and water passed over them 2 or 3 times and drained by a small hole at the bottom. This ash water is called lye and is then taken and added to soft or rain water. This starts off an instant chemical reaction because the lye is caustic and the mixture will heat up instantly to around 60 degress C. You then add melted fat and fragrances to make soap.

So when I think of hiefer water I don't think of ash water so much but as soap water because that is most probably what it would be because there would still be fat traces in the ash. But when soap is made it doesn't lose all it's caustic element for at least 2-3 weeks, until then it would burn the skin.

According to the bible there didn't seem to be any huge waiting period between placing the ashes in the water and those having to use it. So I think that it would sud up but that it would also burn the skin or at least make it tingle. So I guess the question is; I wonder if it would hurt and if there was purpose in that hurting?


P.S. Thanks Ants

[plum]

I have never ever thought of this before...wow good curiosity!

[stone]

Maybe we should perform an experiment.

Who wants to go in 1st?

[HadassahSukkot]

I hadn't really ever thought about it. I never made soap before.. ;) (that's one of the "Do before you die" things on my list - that and milking a cow, milking a goat and milking an ewe -- but not really in that order)


As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn't mind testing it out when they get the new mikveh in order in Jerusalem... who is with me? :)

[Henaynei]

I like the way you think Athaliamum :D ^_^ :thumbsup:

[Athaliamum]

I would figure that it wouldn't be that potent at first but it's potency would build up over time. It could have just had enough chemical reaction to just lightly take off the top layer of skin which is mostly dead skin anyway - almost like a very soft acid peel and would tinggle more then burn. They most probably had beautiful skin - especially the priests who would have to do it more often, it would have given them a radience because their skin would not have been dull with the layers of dead skin on top. And then of course to soap component would help to wash them clean. So they would have been renewed - literally.

[HadassahSukkot]

Oh my goodness!

I just had a thought. (no that wasn't the "oh my goodness" :P)

Moses when he appeared before the congregation had a shiny face, so shiny it freaked everyone out.

The Preists who ministered within a certain month period and on holy days -- worked daily. Which means daily mikvah visits and seperation from their families.

If the purified water which they are subjected to and washed themselves in *Daily* -- did as you described Athaliamum... would not even their hands and feet shine so, even during the temple service?

What an awe-filling thought!

They're set apart, but imagine the fact normal "Joe Israel" visits the temple, has been purified and ascends the mount and there are all these "pretty" people-- not just because of their outward washing, but because of their purity within their hearts-- a picture of the Millenial Kingdom and Us serving in the Tabernacle of Y'shua...

Whoa is about all I can say.

[Eben Abram]

Shalom Alecheim

Great question.

Rabbanim don't ascribe a pain process or a highted color or pallor to the priest, though it sounds interesting.

Soap as a Ash Water base is described in Egypt, Rome and....Israel though in Israel it appears it also became a hair gel of sorts though Olive oil and natural beauty aids from egypt seem to

"The Ebers Papyrus, a medical document from about 1500 B.C., describes combining animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to form a soap-like material used for treating skin diseases, as well as for washing."

I wonder with the acidity question if Egyptian men, who thought Hair repugnent increased thier mix to a higher dose to "burn off" not just external skin but hair follicles as well for the "smooth" egyptian look. The pallor we are told is make up.

There seems to be alot of discussion on Typology though about the Red Heifer being an oddity in it's prescribed means and application as opposed to a heifer.

Symbolic of Messiah we know but the WAY it's ALL Consumed and the other was prescribed as to remove parts and taken apart some say apply to Israel and eventual Christian Inclusion in salvation.

I don't think the Soap hurt,

unless you got it in your eyes ;-)

Alecheim Shalom

Eben