Dose of Halacha

Question: We bought a new matching seder plate and kos shel Eliyahu for seder night . Do we need to tovel them? Answer: The Gemara (Avoda Zara 75b) stipulates that any keilim employed during meals necessitate tevila . The Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:4) extends this requirement to keilim utilised in cooking or food preparation, such as barbecue grills. However, the Rema (YD 120:5) notes that while a chalaf ( shechita knife) isn’t employed in food preparation, it is still advisable to tovel it without a beracha . The Shach (YD 120:10-11) elaborates on this, as it could potentially be utilised in various food-related tasks. R’ Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher 3:62) addresses the case of a kos shel Eliyahu, which falls into a similar category as it may be utilised for drinking. Moreover, it might be utilised for kiddush , in subsequent years, particularly if a different, more appealing kos is found for the seder night . Hence, it should be tovelled without a beracha (see Rivevos Ephraim ...

Question: We bought two new plates to replace ones which had smashed from our set. We accidentally put them in the cupboard with the others before tovelling them and don’t know which ones they are. What should we do? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 109:1; 122:8) writes that if a forbidden item such as a dish gets mixed into a pile of similar items that are permitted, then it is battul berov, annulled against the majority, and thus, permissible. Nonetheless, R’ Chaim Falagi (Ruach Chaim YD 122:1) and R’ Tzvi Pesach Frank (Har Tzvi YD 93) write that this rule doesn’t apply to our scenario. The Shulchan Aruch (YD 102:1) writes that something that can be rectified ( davar sheyesh lo mattirin ) isn’t even battul if mixed into a thousand parts. However, this only applies to something that will either inevitably become muttar with the passage of time or if it doesn’t involve a big expense. Thus, a treif pot that got mixed into a pile of similar pots will be okay to use as it is co...

Question: We were invited to a family member’s house who does not keep kashrus properly but have gone out of their way to buy us kosher food. They have even bought us new plates to eat from, though they haven’t tovelled them. What can we do? Answer: While there are some rishonim that allow one to use dishes that have not yet been tovelled (See Raavya, Pesachim 464; Hagaos Maimonos, Maacholos Assuros 17:6), the Rema (YD 120:8) and other rishonim (Issur Vehetter 58:85; Rokeach 481) write that one mustn’t use such dishes. Nonetheless, the Yeshuos Yaakov (120:1) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 323:7) write that this prohibition is miderabanan . The Rema (YD 120:16) writes that the lack of tevila does not render the food forbidden to eat. The food should be transferred to another dish before eating, though. The Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:8) writes that if one borrowed a dish that hadn’t been tovelled from another Jewish person, they are obligated to tovel it, unless they bought...

Question: A friend just gave me a glass dish filled with sweets as a gift. Who was supposed to tovel it, me or her? Answer: R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo 2:66:20) held that one shouldn’t tovel a gift before giving it as they may want to return it. If they do, it wouldn’t yet be considered something used for food, and therefore doesn’t require tevila . Likewise, R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:44; 7:43:2; 8:70) and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:452) write that one selling dishes shouldn’t tovel them before selling them as until they have been bought, they serve as merchandise, rather than eating utensils. If one bought a dish that the shopkeeper had tovelled , they would still need to tovel it again (See Tevilas Kelim 8:6). R’ Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher, Matos 68:4) writes that if one tovelled a gift before giving it, it would not need tovelling again, Nonetheless, one shouldn’t do so, unless one is tovelling other things that requir...

Question:   I usually reuse disposable aluminium dishes a few times. Do I need to   tovel   them? Answer:  Rambam (Kelim 5:7) writes that when one only intends on using a container once before throwing it away, it is not  mekabel tumah.  The Shav Yaakov (Shut 31) writes that only containers that are considered to be proper  kelim  require  tevila.  Following this,  R' Yitzchak Yaakov  Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 2:32)  paskens  that disposable dishes that are only used once do not require  tevila.  If they will be reused at all, then they do require  tevila . R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 3:23), however, quotes Rambam elsewhere (Kelim 2:1) who writes that the criteria for a container to be   mekabel tumah   is also that it is long lasting. Thus, even if one decides to reuse such a container, it will not require   tevila.   R’ Moshe does concede, however, that if one buys it wit...

Question: Do I need to tovel my new toaster? Answer: There is a machlokes as to whether electrical items require tevila altogether. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:450) quotes a view (see Chelkas Yaakov 1:126) that when electrical items are plugged in, they are considered mechubar lekarka, attached to the ground, and therefore exempt from tevila,  though he disagrees (see too Minchas Yitzchak 2:72 and Shevet Halevi YD 2:57:3). Although the bread is fully baked before it goes into the toaster, the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 120:35) writes that as such kelim come into contact with food, they require tevila with a  beracha . R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 3:24), however, writes that as the bread is fully baked before it goes in, the toaster may be used without tevila. Elsewhere, (YD 1:57-58) he writes that while (other) electrical items require tevila, it is sufficient to tovel just the parts that come into contact with food. The electric parts – even ...