And the Kohen shall take cedar wood and hyssop and crimson wool, and cast them into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Torah Temimah: Sifrei — “Into the midst of the burning of the heifer.” I might think after it has become ash; therefore it says “the heifer.” If “the heifer,” I might think even before it is burned; therefore it says “into the midst of the burning.” How is this resolved? Once the fire has taken hold of the majority of it.
English: I might think after it has become ash; therefore it says “the heifer.” If “the heifer,” I might think even before it is burned; therefore it says “into the midst of the burning.” How is this resolved? Once the fire has taken hold of the majority of it.
Resolution of two limiting phrases to fix the precise moment.
The cedar, hyssop, and crimson must be cast into the fire only after the majority of the para has caught flame, but while it is still recognizably the heifer and not yet ash.