Mondo Gonzales speaking on a broadcast aired March 23 of 2025- this year stated that 3 were still qualified.
- YouTube at around the 9 minute mark.
So if one of them was "disqualified" that leaves 2 left after this one was burned in a "practice" ceremony. If he misspoke, and the article linked above in AH's post, is the correct one, that means 2 were qualified back in Feb, and one became disqualified and got burned for practice.
One big thing stands out to me. It's why I used quotes around the words disqualified, and practice.
--- If the priests wanted to avoid trouble with the local Arab Muslims, wouldn't it make sense to talk up how they were burning a disqualified heifer? And then do it. Without the Arabs getting in an uproar over it all.
The problem with burning the red heifer has been the reaction of the Arabs, and the reaction of the police who often act against their own people to prevent Arab unrest.
When would it be OK to burn???
When the local Arabs are reassured of the deep disappointment of the Jews in the failure of this red heifer. As they laugh at that disappointment they relax, everyone is ok
And NOW there is a whole cow's worth of ashes, ready to go when the Temple Mount faithful get the word to build.
They aren't going to want to waste any time applying for permission to burn a perfect red heifer at that point in time. They know that time is of the essence.
Now that doesn't mean that this wasn't a practice session on a disqualified red heifer
If they have another "practice" session that might really draw suspicion. That would be a missed opportunity. If I were them, I wouldn't miss the opportunity.
Just my opinion though.