Tevilat Keilim
The Torah commands us to immerse metal[1] utensils that are purchased or otherwise acquired from a non-Jew in a mikva prior to their first use.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] One is not required to immerse utensils which one borrows from a non-Jew.[5] As we will see, the mitzva of tevilat keilim generally applies only to metal and glass utensils.
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.[6] Nevertheless, most halachic authorities treat tevilat keilim as a Biblical mitzva for all intents and purposes.[7] 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.[8]
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,[9] one who intends to re-use them a number of times should do so.[10] 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.[11]
One need not immerse earthenware dishes, even if they contain some sort of glass coating or finish.[12] Those who nevertheless choose to immerse glazed earthenware dishes or fine china must do so without reciting the blessing, as the immersion is not truly required. 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.[13]
One must remove any stickering or markings which might be on a utensil prior to immersing it. It goes without saying that the item must be completely free of dirt or rust. The utensil is immersed once, ensuring that it is completely covered by the water of the mikva.[14] It is best not to allow a minor to perform the immersion.[15] Tevilat keilim is not to be performed on Shabbat or Yom Tov.[16] A utensil may not be used, even once, before it is immersed in a mikva.[17] 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.[18]
A non-kosher utensil should first be kashered prior to immersing it.[19] It is unclear whether or not one who converts to Judaism is required to immerse the utensils he already owns. 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. Common custom is not to require the immersion of plastic utensils[20] even though some authorities argue that the similarities between glass and plastic would require it.[21] Utensils which one is certain that they contain no glass or metal components need not be immersed.[22]
Modern-day electrical appliances present the mitzva of tevilat keilim with its biggest challenge. This is, of course, because water can damage electrical appliances or even cause harm to those who use the item following the immersion. There are differing approaches among the halachic authorities as to how one should to proceed with such items. Some authorities are of the opinion that anything which must be plugged into the wall in order to be used is halachically considered as if it were attached to the ground and anything which is attached to the ground is exempt from tevilat keilim.[23]
Most authorities, however, reject this comparison and require even electrical items to be immersed just like all others. While some of these authorities require the entire item to be immersed along with all its electrical components, others say that only the actual components which come in direct contact with food need be immersed.[24] If foods were placed upon or served with utensils which were not immersed in a mikva, it does not render the food non-kosher,[25] though one should not eat off such utensils.[26] 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.[27]
[1] Gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead.
[2] Bamidbar 31:23;Rashi, Avoda Zara 75b
[3] Rashi;Bamidbar 31:23
[4] Rashba;Yevamot 47b,Yerushalmi Avoda Zara 5:16
[5] Y.D. 120:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:5
[6] Yabia Omer Y.D. 2:9
[7] Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:4
[8] Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 120:25
[9] Rambam Keilim 7:5, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23
[10] Minchat Yitzchak 5:32
[11] Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:21
[12] Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:46
[13] Shach Y.D. 120:11, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:8-9, Shevet Halevi 6:245:4
[14] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:10
[15] Y.D. 120:14, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:12
[16] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:13
[17] Rema Y.D. 120:8
[18] Y.D. 120:16;Rema
[19] Y.D. 121:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:4
[20] Melamed Lehoil 2:48
[21] Tzitz Eliezer 7:37, 8:26, Chelkat Yaakov 2:163, Yabia Omer Y.D. 4:8
[22] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 37:3
[23] Chelkat Yaakov 1:126
[24] Igrot Moshe Y.D. 1:57-58, Chelkat Yaakov 3:43
[25] Rema Y.D. 120:6, Biur Halacha 323
[26] Igrot Moshe 3:22
[27] Rama Y.D. 120:16, Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:41