Numbers 19:21 "And he that touches the water of sprinkling (purification water), shall be unclean"

A person purifying himself after contact with a dead body must follow certain procedures. One step of his purification process involves Niddah Water.

This is a mixture of natural spring water, combined with the ashes of the Parah Adumah - the red heifer (cow). (See Positive Mitzvah 113).

This water possesses special qualities and when used properly, it can purify. However, it could cause the opposite effect on a person who touches the water for other purposes.

Imagine yourself sitting around a bonfire, enjoying the warmth, pleasant glow and atmosphere. Those same flames which cause so much pleasure, can also burn and destroy if one is careless.

Similarly, this purifying water can cause a person who misuses them to become impure.