Immersing New Vessels in a Mikveh (Tevillat Keilim)

The Aish Rabbi Replies

The Torah (Numbers 31:23) describes how the Jewish people, upon acquiring vessels from non-Jews, were instructed to immerse them in a mikveh. The purpose of the immersion is to purify the utensil and elevate its holiness (Y.D. 120, Taz 1). This is known as tevillat keilim (“immersion of utensils”) in Hebrew.

Metal or glass utensils must be immersed in a mikveh. Wood and plastic utensils do not require immersion. Note that glass derivatives such as Pyrex, Duralex, and corelle require tevilah with a blessing. Regarding porcelain, china and Corningware, some have the custom to immerse these without a blessing.

Disposable utensils (even metal and glass) do not require immersion (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:23).

This obligation only applies to utensils that come into contact with food during normal use, either in preparation of the food or in its consumption (Y.D. 120:1). That means a toaster does require immersion, but a trivet does not.

If the vessel was manufactured by a Jew, then it does not require dunking. (This is one advantage of buying Israeli products!)

Regarding utensils with electric components, only the part that comes into contact with the food needs to be immersed (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 1:57).

Here is the actual procedure:

The vessels can be dunked in any bona fide mikveh. A swimming pool, bathtub, etc. do not qualify. Natural bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, may or may not be valid, depending on several factors. In cases of need, a competent rabbinical authority should be consulted.

The utensil should be cleaned before immersion – i.e. rust, labels, price tags and anything which does not allow the waters of the mikveh to come into contact with all the parts of the utensil must be removed (Y.D. 120:13, 202:1, 2).

Before immersing utensils, recite the blessing, “Baruch Atta Ado-noy, Eloheinu Melech Ha'Olam, asher ki'de'shanu b'mitzvosav v'tzivanu al tevillat keilim.” Before immersing a single utensil, the blessing concludes “kli” (utensil in the singular) rather than “keilim” (Y.D. 120:3).

The entire utensil must be immersed at one time, including the handles. The lid of a pot must also be immersed but not necessarily at the same time as the pot (Y.D. 120 Pitchei Teshuvah 3, 120:5 Rema, 120:12).

The utensil should be lightly held and should also be immersed fully so that water enters the inside of the utensil. Be especially careful that pockets of air are not captured by any hollow in the utensil during the tevillah. Rotating it once or twice usually addresses that. Some also recommend passing the utensil from hand to hand while it's underwater so that the water contacts it all at once, without your hand interfering. (The water covering your second hand is considered connected to the mikveh even while it's holding the utensil.) (Y.D. 120:2, 202:6,7,8).

It is a misconception that one may use a utensil which was not immersed on a one-time basis. If one cannot immerse a utensil, he may give it to a non-Jew, then borrow it back and use it temporarily (Y.D. 120:8, 16).

Finally, since this is technically not an issue of “kosher,” food that was cooked in a “non-immersed vessel” is permitted (Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 120:17). Of course, before eating, it should be transferred to a utensil that was properly immersed.

B'tai'avon – bon appétit!