QUESTION: Is a beracha recited on tevilas keilim?

ANSWER: Yes. Before one toivels a metal or glass utensil, a beracha is recited. Although the Torah only obligates tevila for metal utensils, there is a Rabbinic obligation to toivel glass utensils as well. This is because glass is similar to metal in that it too can be melted and shaped. Thus, a beracha is recited on toiveling glass utensils just as a beracha is recited for any other rabbinic mitzvah. However, if the tevila is only being done because of a safek (doubt) or a chumra (extra stringency), a beracha is not said whether one is toiveling glass utensils or metal utensils. In such cases, if possible, it is preferable to bring along another utensil that definitely requires tevila so that a beracha can be said. Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:3) writes that if one is toiveling a single utensil, then one recites the beracha “al tevilas keli” (singular form), but if one is toiveling two or more keilim one recites “al tevilas keilim” (plural form). However, the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 120:22) writes that the common custom today is to always recite the beracha in the plural form, even if only toiveling a single utensil.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.