QUESTION: May one toivel a utensil on Shabbos?

ANSWER: The Gemara does not directly deal with this question but discusses a related case. The Talmud (Beitza 18a) writes that one may not toivel items that are tamei on Shabbos or Yom Tov. The Gemara offers four different reasons as to why this is prohibited:

This may lead to squeezing out water (i.e., if one toivels clothing).

One might push off the tevila and this can lead to a mishap (i.e., one may forget and use the kli with teruma before toiveling).

One may come to carry it in a public area.

Toiveling a tamei utensil and thereby making it usable is similar to fixing a broken object.

The first two reasons would not apply to the mitzvah of tevilas keilim that were bought from a non-Jew. Regarding metal and glass keilim, there is no concern of squeezing and there is no concern that pushing off tevila might lead to a mishap. Even if one forgot to toivel the utensil, the food would remain kosher. The Rif and the Rambam hold that the halacha follows these reasons, and it therefore follows that tevilas keilim may be performed on Shabbos and Yom Tov. However, the Beis Yosef (OC 323) quotes many other Rishonim who pasken like the last two reasons, which would apply to utensils purchased from a non-Jew as well.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 323:7; see also YD 120:16) cites both opinions and concludes that one who fears Heaven should be stringent and avoid the issue. Instead, if one needs to use the utensil, they should give it as a gift to a non-Jew and then borrow it back. (One should make this arrangement with a non-Jew with whom they are friendly with, who will agree to give it back after Shabbos.) Although ordinarily one is not permitted to give gifts on Shabbos, when there is a need, such as in this case, this may be done. After Shabbos, one must toivel the 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.