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:

1. The mitzvah-One must toivel prior to using for eating
2. 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.

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.