Commentary for Sotah 15:2

וכן לענין הטובה מרים המתינה למשה שעה אחת שנאמר (שמות ב׳:ד׳) ותתצב אחותו מרחוק לפיכך נתעכבו לה כל ישראל שבעת ימים במדבר שנאמר (במדבר י״ב:ט״ו) והעם לא נסע עד האסף מרים:

Said R. Mana: It is not reasonable [to have the ashes removed at midnight for Yom Kippur and at the first watch for the Festivals]. But [on] Yom Kippur fro the first watch and on the Festivals from midnight, so that they shall not come into the hands of thirst. Said R. Yochanan: The removal of the ashes is the beginning of the service of the morrow, and he must sanctify his hands and feet from the laver which was sunk in water.

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