Tevilat Keilim: Difference between revisions
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==Basics== | ==Basics== | ||
# Utensils used for a meal that are bought from a non-Jew require Tevilah (immersion in a kosher mikveh).<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 120, Gemara Avoda Zara 75b </ref> | # Utensils used for a meal that are bought from a non-Jew require Tevilah (immersion in a kosher mikveh).<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 120, Gemara Avoda Zara 75b </ref> | ||
# 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 (Tosfot 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 | # 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 (Tosfot 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> | ||
# A non-kosher utensil should first be kashered prior to immersing it. <ref> Shulchan Aruch YD 121:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:4 </ref> | # A non-kosher utensil should first be kashered prior to immersing it. <ref> Shulchan Aruch YD 121:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:4 </ref> | ||
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# 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> | # 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> Some say it does not need tevila.<ref>[https://www.koltorah.org/halachah//tevilat-keilim-part-ii-by-rabbi-howard-jachter Rav Jachter] quoting Rav Hershel Schachter because the glass coating is very thin.</ref> | ||
# Plastic or wood cutting boards do not need Tevilah, but those who are strict and do Tevilah for it will be blessed. <Ref> Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:2-4) </ref> | # Plastic or wood cutting boards do not need Tevilah, but those who are strict and do Tevilah for it will be blessed.<Ref> Hilchot [[Tevilat Kelim]] (Rabbi Moshe Fariz, 2:2-4) </ref> | ||
# Earthenware dishes or fine china that have a glass glaze must have tevilat keilim without a bracha.<Ref>Yalkut Yosef Y.D. 120:2-3. See Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:46 who in the context of kashrut and absorption of meat and milk writes that the glass glaze on china is insignificant and doesn't make it like glass.</ref> | # Earthenware dishes or fine china that have a glass glaze must have tevilat keilim without a bracha.<Ref>Yalkut Yosef Y.D. 120:2-3. See Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:46 who in the context of kashrut and absorption of meat and milk writes that the glass glaze on china is insignificant and doesn't make it like glass.</ref> | ||
# Similarly, jars, bottles, or metal containers which are used only to store food and not used for food preparation or consumption should be immersed without a blessing. Utensils which are only used indirectly with food, such as bottle openers, and the like, do not require immersion. <Ref> Shach Y.D. 120:11, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:8-9, [[Shevet Halevi]] 6:245:4 </ref> | # Similarly, jars, bottles, or metal containers which are used only to store food and not used for food preparation or consumption should be immersed without a blessing. Utensils which are only used indirectly with food, such as bottle or can openers, and the like, do not require immersion. <Ref> Shach Y.D. 120:11, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:8-9, [[Shevet Halevi]] 6:245:4 </ref> | ||
# Common custom is not to require the immersion of plastic utensils<ref> Melamed Lehoil 2:48 </ref> even though some authorities argue that the similarities between glass and plastic would require it. <ref> Tzitz Eliezer 7:37, 8:26, Chelkat Yaakov 2:163, Yabia Omer Y.D. 4:8 </ref> | # Common custom is not to require the immersion of plastic utensils<ref> Melamed Lehoil 2:48 </ref> even though some authorities argue that the similarities between glass and plastic would require it. <ref> Tzitz Eliezer 7:37, 8:26, Chelkat Yaakov 2:163, Yabia Omer Y.D. 4:8 </ref> | ||
# Utensils which one is certain that they contain no glass or metal components need not be immersed. <Ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:3 </ref> | # Utensils which one is certain that they contain no glass or metal components need not be immersed. <Ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:3 </ref> | ||
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#Tongs used to do tevilat kelim don't themselves need tevilat kelim.<ref>[https://yeshiva-university.zoom.us/rec/play/uMB7I-D--j83ToDAtgSDUaJ7W9Xueqis0nRK-6FfmUm0VSMBZ1qjYLIbZbHenouY882eTH8fEnI5K7DA?startTime=1585587811000&_x_zm_rtaid=5PWyeRatQdGWZ2q1UH7K6w.1585657713810.05dafc99f0c11cb46ffb1a63ddd87e47&_x_zm_rhtaid=904 Rav Willig (min 1)]</ref> | #Tongs used to do tevilat kelim don't themselves need tevilat kelim.<ref>[https://yeshiva-university.zoom.us/rec/play/uMB7I-D--j83ToDAtgSDUaJ7W9Xueqis0nRK-6FfmUm0VSMBZ1qjYLIbZbHenouY882eTH8fEnI5K7DA?startTime=1585587811000&_x_zm_rtaid=5PWyeRatQdGWZ2q1UH7K6w.1585657713810.05dafc99f0c11cb46ffb1a63ddd87e47&_x_zm_rhtaid=904 Rav Willig (min 1)]</ref> | ||
===Disposable Utensils=== | ===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. Most poskim hold that disposable utensils, such as aluminum pans, need not be immersed<ref> Rambam Keilim 7:5, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23, Minchat Yitzchak 5:32. Or Hahalacha 120:27 writes that this is the majority of poskim.</ref> even if he decides to use it a number of times should do so.<ref>Or Letzion 1:24 writes that disposable containers that you decide to use more than once doesn't need tevilah since it is considered as though the Jew made it into a utensil.</ref> Others argue that disposable aluminum pans require Tevilat Keilim.<ref>Chazon Ovadia (Shabbat v. 2 p. 56) writes that disposable aluminum pans require tevilat kelimim since they are considered a real kli even though they are disposable. Even if they don't have tumah they still require tevilat kelim since it doesn't depend on tumah as the Mahari Asad writes. Biography Pear Hadar p. 230 by Rav Eliyahu Abittan writes that Rav Ovadia regularly ruled this way.</ref> | # The mitzva of tevilat keilim only requires one to immerse those utensils which are intended to be used in food preparation or consumption. Most poskim hold that disposable utensils, such as aluminum pans, need not be immersed<ref> Rambam Keilim 7:5, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23, Minchat Yitzchak 5:32. Or Hahalacha 120:27 writes that this is the majority of poskim.</ref> even if he decides to use it a number of times should do so.<ref>Or Letzion 1:24 writes that disposable containers that you decide to use more than once doesn't need tevilah since it is considered as though the Jew made it into a utensil.</ref> Others argue that disposable aluminum pans require Tevilat Keilim.<ref>Chazon Ovadia (Shabbat v. 2 p. 56) writes that disposable aluminum pans require tevilat kelimim since they are considered a real kli even though they are disposable. Even if they don't have tumah they still require tevilat kelim since it doesn't depend on tumah as the Mahari Asad writes. Biography Pear Hadar p. 230 by Rav Eliyahu Abittan writes that Rav Ovadia regularly ruled this way. [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=145037 Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Vayikra 5781 min 5)] said that his father was lenient on disposable pans and even though he wrote they needed tevila he meant it is a stringency.</ref> | ||
# This discussion is also relevant to food packages that are made out of glass or metal, such as a can of soda or wine. Even according to those who are strict generally about disposable utensils, there are only reasons to be lenient to leave the food in the packages.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer YD 7:9:3 is strict generally regarding disposable utensils, nonetheless, he is lenient to use the packages made of metal or glass for storage. For example, liquor that comes in a glass bottle or a can of nuts which are made by non-Jews doesn't require tevilah immediately since one is only passively using the utensil (Maharil Diskin Kuntres Achron 136 s.v. vda). Furthermore, some say that one has intention not to buy the container but only the food inside (Mishna Halachot 4:107). Or Hahalacha 120:27 quotes this and agrees.</ref> | # This discussion is also relevant to food packages that are made out of glass or metal, such as a can of soda or wine. Even according to those who are strict generally about disposable utensils, there are only reasons to be lenient to leave the food in the packages.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer YD 7:9:3 is strict generally regarding disposable utensils, nonetheless, he is lenient to use the packages made of metal or glass for storage. For example, liquor that comes in a glass bottle or a can of nuts which are made by non-Jews doesn't require tevilah immediately since one is only passively using the utensil (Maharil Diskin Kuntres Achron 136 s.v. vda). Furthermore, some say that one has intention not to buy the container but only the food inside (Mishna Halachot 4:107). Or Hahalacha 120:27 quotes this and agrees.</ref> | ||
# There is no leniency to use any utensil one time before tevilah.<Ref>Rama Y.D. 120:8, Yachava Daat 4:44, Avnei Darech 9:105</ref> | # There is no leniency to use any utensil one time before tevilah.<Ref>Rama Y.D. 120:8, Yachava Daat 4:44, Avnei Darech 9:105</ref> | ||
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# If a utensil from a Jew is mixed into a majority of utensils from non-Jews there is an obligation to do tevilat kelim with a bracha. If one is only doing the tevilat kelim on one of the utensils at one time one wouldn't recite a bracha.<ref>Teshurat Shay 2:104 writes that if the majority of the utensils are from non-Jews there is an obligation to do tevilat kelim on all of the utensils. He adds that there’s no bracha for the one which was originally from a Jew since we don’t follow rov for brachot (Zachor Lavraham OC 3:60 s.v. eych). Also, since it is a dvar sheyesh lo matirin bitul is ineffective (see Magen Avraham 513:13 quoting the Maharshal). However, there is still a bracha for the ones that are from a non-Jew.</ref> | # If a utensil from a Jew is mixed into a majority of utensils from non-Jews there is an obligation to do tevilat kelim with a bracha. If one is only doing the tevilat kelim on one of the utensils at one time one wouldn't recite a bracha.<ref>Teshurat Shay 2:104 writes that if the majority of the utensils are from non-Jews there is an obligation to do tevilat kelim on all of the utensils. He adds that there’s no bracha for the one which was originally from a Jew since we don’t follow rov for brachot (Zachor Lavraham OC 3:60 s.v. eych). Also, since it is a dvar sheyesh lo matirin bitul is ineffective (see Magen Avraham 513:13 quoting the Maharshal). However, there is still a bracha for the ones that are from a non-Jew.</ref> | ||
==Bodies of Water Fit for Immersing In== | ==Bodies of Water Fit for Immersing In== | ||
# One shouldn't dip utensils in snow. If there's no other available options one may dip glass utensils in a mikveh.<ref>Mordechai quotes the Rabbenu Shemaryahu who says that one may dip in a mikveh of snow even if it didn't melt. However, Rabbenu Eliezer argued. Bet Yosef YD 201:30 defended Rabbenu Shemaryahu but concludes that for | # One shouldn't dip utensils in snow. If there's no other available options one may dip glass utensils in a mikveh.<ref>Mordechai quotes the Rabbenu Shemaryahu who says that one may dip in a mikveh of snow even if it didn't melt. However, Rabbenu Eliezer argued. Bet Yosef YD 201:30 defended Rabbenu Shemaryahu but concludes that for biblical halachot one shouldn't dip a utensil in snow. Pitchei Teshuva YD 120:4 cites the Chachmat Adam who writes that for an extenuating circumstances we can rely on the Rabbenu Shemaryahu to dip utensils in snow that isn't melted. [http://www.toratemetfreeware.com/online/f_01599.html#HtmpReportNum0004_L2 Hilchot Taharat Kelim 5:7] agrees if the snow is collected in a pit.</ref> | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
# [https://www.star-k.org/articles/kosher-lists/1170/tevilas-keilim-guidelines/ Tevilas Keilim Guidelines by the Star-K] | # [https://www.star-k.org/articles/kosher-lists/1170/tevilas-keilim-guidelines/ Tevilas Keilim Guidelines by the Star-K] | ||
