Adapted from the writings of Dayan Yitzhak Grossman April 18, 2024 AP News reports: A…
Tevilas Keilim: Ritual Immersion on High Tech Items
Rav Yosef Jacobowitz
Min haTorah– only metal needs immersion. Midrabanan – even glass [since it’s similar to metal that it can be molded into a shape].
There are two components:
- The mitzvah-One must toivel prior to using for eating
- The issur-It is prohibited to use a utensil without prior immersion
What is the halacha regarding utensils that cannot be immersed? [coffee makers, etc.]
- Some say it is similar to utensils owned in partnership with a non-Jew
- Rama –these items don’t require immersion.
- Bais Meir- disagrees.
- Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach – concurs with Rama, since issur is only midrabanan. When tvilah will not remove the tumah from the non-Jew’s portion, one may use without tvilah.
- Since it is plugged in to the wall, it could be possibly considered mechubar lekarka , and not obligated in immersion at all.
- Rama –these items don’t require immersion.
What is the halacha regarding utensils in a hotel that doesn’t toivel?
- Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach – permits to use without immersion. Similar to utensils owned jointly with non-Jew, when tvila is not an option, [the hotel won’t allow you], there is no prohibition of using without tvila.
- Rav Moshe Feinstein – disagrees with Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in hotel scenario. [He only permits eating cold food off the plate, but not the utensils.] It could be he would agree regarding the coffeemaker.
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