Tevilas Keilim: Clearing The Confusion

Myth # 2: Food prepared in an item that was not toiveled should be treated like treif.

The halachos of tevilah and kashrus may overlap in some areas but in fact are totally different. A brand-new metal utensil that is generally used with food requires tevilah. This is true even though the item is brand-new and certainly kosher. Food that was inadvertently prepared in a non-toiveled utensil may be eaten. The fact that the utensil was not toiveled does not make the food prepared in it non-kosher.

Myth # 3: A large utensil may be partially submerged in the mikveh water and then re-submerged to immerse the other side.

The halachah is quite clear that the entire utensil must be submerged at the same time.

This myth also has its roots in halachah. When kashering a pot, the whole pot need not be kashered at the same time. Sinks are routinely kashered piecemeal. (If possible, it is meritorious to kasher an entire utensil at the same time.) However, for tevilas keilim, the entire utensil must be submerged at once. Care must be taken with large pans to immerse the entire pan at the same time.

Myth # 4: Items purchased from a Jewish store do not require tevilah.

Items purchased from a Jewish store require tevilah if either the manufacturer or the distributor is part of a gentile-owned company.

Myth # 5: Every lake is a kosher mikveh.

Not every river or lake can be used as a mikveh. A man-made lake filled with rainwater and replenished by rainwater cannot be used for tevilas keilim. For a lake to be a valid mikveh, it must be formed by a natural spring. This issue also comes up on camping trips where people generally assume they can use any lake to toivel their grill.

Myth #6: Silver Judaica items do not require tevilah.

Very often, silver Judaica items—even with the stamp of famous Israeli manufacturers such as Hazorfim or Hadad—are not made in Israel. Many Kiddush cups, fountains, and even Seder plates are made in Italy, Hungary, and Turkey. Please see the accompanying photos of silver Judaica pieces that were all manufactured outside of Israel and require tevilah.

(If one has any question about the country of manufacture of his silver item, he may e-mail a picture to Chaim Holzberg of 925 Sterling at 925strlng@gmail.com.)