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Tevilat Keilim: Difference between revisions
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The Torah commands us to immerse metal <Ref> Gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead are all types of metal. </ref> utensils that are purchased or otherwise acquired from a non-Jew in a mikva prior to their first use. <ref> Bamidbar 31:23;Rashi, Avoda Zara 75b </ref> This mitzva is referred to as "tevilat keilim", the immersion of utensils. It is suggested that tevilat keilim, which appears in the Torah following the battle with the Midianites, was a mitzva intended to remove impurity from the utensils which had been in the presence of the dead. <ref> Rashi;Bamidbar 31:23 </ref> | The Torah commands us to immerse metal <Ref> Gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead are all types of metal. </ref> utensils that are purchased or otherwise acquired from a non-Jew in a mikva prior to their first use. <ref> Bamidbar 31:23; Rashi, Avoda Zara 75b </ref> This mitzva is referred to as "tevilat keilim", the immersion of utensils. It is suggested that tevilat keilim, which appears in the Torah following the battle with the Midianites, was a mitzva intended to remove impurity from the utensils which had been in the presence of the dead. <ref> Rashi;Bamidbar 31:23 </ref> | ||
The mitzva of tevilat keilim is often compared to the conversion of a Gentile to Judaism - just as a conversion to Judaism requires immersion in a mikva, so too a utensil which "converts" from Gentile to Jewish ownership requires immersion, as well. <Ref> Rashba;Yevamot 47b,Yerushalmi Avoda Zara 5:16 </ref> One is not required to immerse utensils which one borrows from a non-Jew. <Ref>S”A Y.D. 120:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:5 </ref>As we will see, the mitzva of tevilat keilim generally applies only to metal and glass utensils. | The mitzva of tevilat keilim is often compared to the conversion of a Gentile to Judaism - just as a conversion to Judaism requires immersion in a mikva, so too a utensil which "converts" from Gentile to Jewish ownership requires immersion, as well. <Ref> Rashba;Yevamot 47b,Yerushalmi Avoda Zara 5:16 </ref> One is not required to immerse utensils which one borrows from a non-Jew. <Ref>S”A Y.D. 120:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:5 </ref>As we will see, the mitzva of tevilat keilim generally applies only to metal and glass utensils. | ||
==Basics== | ==Basics== | ||
# Utensils used for a meal that are bought from a non-Jew require Tevilah (immersion in a kosher | # Utensils used for a meal that are bought from a non-Jew require Tevilah (immersion in a kosher mikveh). <Ref>S”A YD 120, Gemara Avoda Zara 75b </ref> | ||
# One who is unsure whether or not one's utensils were purchased from a Jewish owned company should immerse them without reciting the accompanying blessing. <Ref> Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:21 </ref> | # One who is unsure whether or not one's utensils were purchased from a Jewish owned company should immerse them without reciting the accompanying blessing. <Ref> Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:21 </ref> | ||
# It is actually a matter of dispute amongst the authorities whether the mitzva of tevilat keilim has the status of a Torah commandment or a rabbinical one. <Ref> Yabia Omer Y.D. 2:9 </ref>Nevertheless, most halachic authorities treat tevilat keilim as a Biblical mitzva for all intents and purposes. <Ref> Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:4, Sh”t Yechave Daat 4: | # It is actually a matter of dispute amongst the authorities whether the mitzva of tevilat keilim has the status of a Torah commandment<ref>Rabbenu tam (tosafot yoma 78a), Rashba (Torat habayit ha'aroch 125b) </ref>or a rabbinical one. <Ref> Ramban on Parashat Bamidbar 31:23. see Yabia Omer Y.D. 2:9 for a list of both opinions </ref>Nevertheless, most halachic authorities treat tevilat keilim as a Biblical mitzva for all intents and purposes. <Ref> Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:4, Sh”t Yechave Daat 4:44 </ref> All poskim agree that glass is only rabbinic.<ref> Pri Chadash 120:3 </ref> | ||
==Procedure of Tevilah== | ==Procedure of Tevilah== | ||
# One must immerse the entire vessel at one time and not half at a time. <Ref>Halichot Olam (vol 7, pg 253), Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A YD 120:5) </ref> | # One must immerse the entire vessel at one time and not half at a time. <Ref>Halichot Olam (vol 7, pg 253), Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A YD 120:5) </ref> | ||
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# It is unclear whether or not one who converts to Judaism is required to immerse the utensils he already owns. <ref>Sh"t Shevet HaLevi 4:92, 6:245(2) holds that a convert is required to immerse his vessels. Sh”t Yabia Omer YD 8:7 writes that seemingly the convert wouldn’t be obligated to immerse the utensils and quotes the Sefer Devarim Achadim (Rav Eliyahu Kalskin Siman 196), Shem MeShmuel (Parshat Matot), Sh”t Nezer HaKodesh 17 who agree. Yabia Omer concludes that one should immerse metal vessels without a Bracha and one wouldn’t need to immerse glass vessels. See Tzitz Eliezer 8:19-20, 22:49.</ref> | # It is unclear whether or not one who converts to Judaism is required to immerse the utensils he already owns. <ref>Sh"t Shevet HaLevi 4:92, 6:245(2) holds that a convert is required to immerse his vessels. Sh”t Yabia Omer YD 8:7 writes that seemingly the convert wouldn’t be obligated to immerse the utensils and quotes the Sefer Devarim Achadim (Rav Eliyahu Kalskin Siman 196), Shem MeShmuel (Parshat Matot), Sh”t Nezer HaKodesh 17 who agree. Yabia Omer concludes that one should immerse metal vessels without a Bracha and one wouldn’t need to immerse glass vessels. See Tzitz Eliezer 8:19-20, 22:49.</ref> | ||
== | ==Beracha== | ||
# For one vessel the Bracha is Al Tevilat Kli and for multiple vessels the Bracha is Al [[Tevilat Kelim]]. After the fact, if one switched Kli for Kelim or the opposite one has fulfilled one’s obligation. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef YD 120:7 </ref> | # For one vessel the Bracha is Al Tevilat Kli and for multiple vessels the Bracha is Al [[Tevilat Kelim]]. After the fact, if one switched Kli for Kelim or the opposite one has fulfilled one’s obligation. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef YD 120:7 </ref> | ||
==Which | ==Which Vessels require Tevilah?== | ||
# While the immersion of metal utensils is required by Torah law, glass utensils must be immersed only by rabbinic enactment. Glass was incorporated into the mitzva of tevilat keilim because glass and metal share a common characteristic - they are both materials which can be melted and reconstructed when needed. <ref> Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:25 </ref> | # While the immersion of metal utensils is required by Torah law, glass utensils must be immersed only by rabbinic enactment. Glass was incorporated into the mitzva of tevilat keilim because glass and metal share a common characteristic - they are both materials which can be melted and reconstructed when needed. <ref> Pri Chadash 120:3, Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:25 </ref> | ||
# Metal, glass, crystal, pyrex, and duralux require Tevilah. However, plastic, nylon, earthenware, and vessels covered in earthenware do not require Tevilah. <Ref>Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:8, Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:2-3) </ref> | # Metal, glass, crystal, pyrex, and duralux require Tevilah. However, plastic, nylon, earthenware, and vessels covered in earthenware do not require Tevilah. <Ref>Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:8, Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:2-3) </ref> | ||
# Some say that porcelain requires Tevilah, <ref> Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:6) explains that even though some poskim held that it wasn’t obligated that was only because they were discussing porcelain which was ceramic not covered with glass, however, nowadays the common porcelain is covered with glass and must require Tevilah. Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:8 writes that porcelain doesn’t require tevilah. </ref> | # Some say that porcelain requires Tevilah, <ref> Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:6) explains that even though some poskim held that it wasn’t obligated that was only because they were discussing porcelain which was ceramic not covered with glass, however, nowadays the common porcelain is covered with glass and must require Tevilah. Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:8 writes that porcelain doesn’t require tevilah. </ref> | ||
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# Due to the doubt whether or not Corelle dishes are halachically similar to glass dishes, they too should be immersed, though the accompanying blessing is not recited. <ref>[http://www.star-k.org/tevilas%20list.pdf Star K] and [http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/tevilat_keilim/ OU] write that corelle dishes require tevilah with a bracha. [http://www.kashrut.com/articles/tevilas_keilim/ Rabbi Binyamin Forst] and [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5762/vayera.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt] agree. [http://www.torahlab.org/doitright/dipping_your_dishes/ Rabbi Tzvi Haber of Los Angeles]writes that the obligation to immerse corelle is questionable and so one should dip it without a bracha. </ref> | # Due to the doubt whether or not Corelle dishes are halachically similar to glass dishes, they too should be immersed, though the accompanying blessing is not recited. <ref>[http://www.star-k.org/tevilas%20list.pdf Star K] and [http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/tevilat_keilim/ OU] write that corelle dishes require tevilah with a bracha. [http://www.kashrut.com/articles/tevilas_keilim/ Rabbi Binyamin Forst] and [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5762/vayera.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt] agree. [http://www.torahlab.org/doitright/dipping_your_dishes/ Rabbi Tzvi Haber of Los Angeles]writes that the obligation to immerse corelle is questionable and so one should dip it without a bracha. </ref> | ||
# One should immerse the kos of eliyahu used for the seder night without a beracha. <ref> [http://tvunah.org/2014/04/07/507/ Rav Osher Weiss] </ref> | # One should immerse the kos of eliyahu used for the seder night without a beracha. <ref> [http://tvunah.org/2014/04/07/507/ Rav Osher Weiss] </ref> | ||
===Disposable | ===Disposable Utensils=== | ||
# The mitzva of tevilat keilim only requires one to immerse those utensils which are intended to be used in food preparation or consumption. Although disposable utensils, such as aluminum pans, need not be immersed, <ref> Rambam Keilim 7:5, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23 </ref>one who intends to re-use them a number of times should do so. <ref> Minchat Yitzchak 5:32 </ref> | # The mitzva of tevilat keilim only requires one to immerse those utensils which are intended to be used in food preparation or consumption. Although disposable utensils, such as aluminum pans, need not be immersed, <ref> Rambam Keilim 7:5, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23 </ref>one who intends to re-use them a number of times should do so. <ref> Minchat Yitzchak 5:32 </ref> | ||
===Tevilat Kelim on Snapple Bottles=== | ===Tevilat Kelim on Snapple Bottles=== | ||
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# If the toaster will break by being dipped in the mikvah one should either bring it to an Jewish expert mechanic who will take it apart (to the point that no everyone would know how to fix it) and put it back together or to give it to a non-Jew and then borrow it from him. <ref>http://halachayomit.co.il/QuestionDetails.aspx?ID=160, http://www.moreshet.co.il/web/shut/shut2.asp?id=118646</ref> | # If the toaster will break by being dipped in the mikvah one should either bring it to an Jewish expert mechanic who will take it apart (to the point that no everyone would know how to fix it) and put it back together or to give it to a non-Jew and then borrow it from him. <ref>http://halachayomit.co.il/QuestionDetails.aspx?ID=160, http://www.moreshet.co.il/web/shut/shut2.asp?id=118646</ref> | ||
===Sandwich | ===Sandwich Maker=== | ||
# A sandwich-maker needs to be Toveled. <ref> Rabbi B. Forst http://www.kashrut.com/articles/tevilas_keilim/ . [http://www.dinonline.org/2012/05/04/tevilas-keilim-for-electronic-appliances/ din-online] points out that it is possible to tovel a sandwich maker if you leave it to dry for 24 hours. </ref> | # A sandwich-maker needs to be Toveled. <ref> Rabbi B. Forst http://www.kashrut.com/articles/tevilas_keilim/ . [http://www.dinonline.org/2012/05/04/tevilas-keilim-for-electronic-appliances/ din-online] points out that it is possible to tovel a sandwich maker if you leave it to dry for 24 hours. </ref> | ||
===Blender=== | ===Blender=== | ||
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# Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer YD 7:8) entertains the possibility of exempting a convert from [[Tevilat Kelim]] because this situation isn’t similar to the original story of Bnei Yisrael acquiring utensils from Midyan in which the utensils changed domains and not that the owners have undergone a transformation. Rav Wosner in Shevet HaLevi (4:92:2) disagrees and says that even though the form of [[acquisition]] isn’t identical to the original story, the fundamental transfer from a secular domain to one of [[kedusha]] is applicable to a convert. Interestingly, the Sochachover Rebbe (cited by Yabia Omer) argued that the convert’s undergoing of conversion is sufficient to also convert his utensils and exempt them from any obligation of [[Tevilat Kelim]]. Rabbi Aryeh Leib Grossnass (Lev Aryeh Siman 25) recommends doing tevilat kelim without a bracha because of the dispute. | # Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer YD 7:8) entertains the possibility of exempting a convert from [[Tevilat Kelim]] because this situation isn’t similar to the original story of Bnei Yisrael acquiring utensils from Midyan in which the utensils changed domains and not that the owners have undergone a transformation. Rav Wosner in Shevet HaLevi (4:92:2) disagrees and says that even though the form of [[acquisition]] isn’t identical to the original story, the fundamental transfer from a secular domain to one of [[kedusha]] is applicable to a convert. Interestingly, the Sochachover Rebbe (cited by Yabia Omer) argued that the convert’s undergoing of conversion is sufficient to also convert his utensils and exempt them from any obligation of [[Tevilat Kelim]]. Rabbi Aryeh Leib Grossnass (Lev Aryeh Siman 25) recommends doing tevilat kelim without a bracha because of the dispute. | ||
==If | ==If One Didn't Immerse a Utensil== | ||
# A utensil may not be used, even once, before it is immersed in a mikva. <Ref> Rema Y.D. 120:8 </ref> | # A utensil may not be used, even once, before it is immersed in a mikva. <Ref> Rema Y.D. 120:8, Rambam Hilchot Maachalot Asurot 17:3. While the Chatam Sofer YD 114 writes that this prohibition is from the Torah, the Yeshuot Yaakov 120:1 holds this is only dirabanan. </ref> | ||
# One, who for whatever reason, is unable to immerse a utensil which is urgently needed should give the item to a Gentile as a gift and then borrow it back from him. <Ref> Y.D. 120:16 | # One, who for whatever reason, is unable to immerse a utensil which is urgently needed should give the item to a Gentile as a gift and then borrow it back from him. <Ref> Rama Y.D. 120:16 </ref> | ||
# If foods were placed upon or served with utensils which were not immersed in a mikva, it does not render the food non-kosher, <ref> Rema Y.D. 120:16, Beiur Halacha 323 </ref>though one should not eat off such utensils. <Ref> Igrot Moshe 3:22, Shu"t Yechave Daat 4:44 </ref> However, some are lenient to eat in a restaurant where the utensils are not dipped.<ref> Shu"t Yechave Daat 4:44 </ref> | # If foods were placed upon or served with utensils which were not immersed in a mikva, it does not render the food non-kosher, <ref> Yerushalmi Avoda Zara 5:15 and Tosafot and Rosh (Avoda Zara 75b), as well as Ramban, Rashba and Ran there, Rema Y.D. 120:16, Beiur Halacha 323 </ref>though one should not eat off such utensils. <Ref> Igrot Moshe 3:22, Shu"t Yechave Daat 4:44 </ref> However, some are lenient to eat in a restaurant where the utensils are not dipped.<ref> Darkei Teshuva 120:70, Shu"t Yechave Daat 4:44. This is based on Beit Yosef 120:8, where he writes that if somebody buys utensils for business purposes, and then lends them out to someone who will be using them for eating, the borrower need not dip them, and the Pri chadash 120:22 and Aruch Hashulchan 120:43 agree with the Shulchan Aruch on that, even though other acharonim (including the Shach and Taz) disagree. | ||
Regarding the restaurant owner himself, Rav shlomo kluger (tuv taam vidaat 3:23) says that a restaurant owner doesn't need to dip, unless most of his customers will be Jewish. Yechave Daat 4:44 is lenient on this as well, even if most of the customers are Jewish, even for metal utensils.</ref> | |||
# Kosher food which was cooked in utensils which were not immersed in a mikva but is then served on dishes that were (or disposable dishes) may be eaten without hesitation. <Ref> Rama Y.D. 120:16, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:41 </ref> | # Kosher food which was cooked in utensils which were not immersed in a mikva but is then served on dishes that were (or disposable dishes) may be eaten without hesitation. <Ref> Rama Y.D. 120:16, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:41 </ref> | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
# http://www. | # [https://www.star-k.org/articles/kosher-lists/1170/tevilas-keilim-guidelines/ Tevilas Keilim Guidelines by the Star-K] | ||
# [https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/tevilas-keilim-a-primer/ Tevilas Keilim: A Primer] by the OU | |||
# [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/788205/rabbi-hershel-schachter/hilchos-tevilas-keilim/ Hilchos Tevilas Keilim] by Rav Hershel Schachter | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Kashrut]] | [[Category:Kashrut]] | ||
