Halachic Highlights

Question: Must you completely let go of the utensil when you immerse it in the mikvah?

 Short Answer: Ideally, you should completely let go of the utensil during the immersion, and if you do not, a second immersion should be performed, but without a brachah. However, if your hands were previously wet from the waters of the mikvah, a second immersion is not necessary.

Question: Must a new couple tovel a utensil immediately upon receiving it as a wedding gift? 

Short Answer: Many poskim do not require immediate t’vilah. However, because some poskim do require immediate t’vilah, it is certainly preferable to tovel the utensil as soon as possible.

Question: Must caterers, kosher hotels, and restaurants tovel their utensils?

 Short Answer: Many poskim require caterers, kosher hotels, and restaurants to tovel their utensils. If the utensils are not toveled, the majority of poskim do not allow a patron to eat there. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, though, allows a patron to eat certain foods there, as detailed herein.

Question: Do Snapple bottles, pickle jars, and other glass utensils that are purchased with food inside require t’vilah?

 Short Answer: Most poskim do not require the purchaser to tovel the utensil unless he plans on putting other food content into the utensil. Poskim are split on whether one may pour back the emptied contents of the utensils without first toveling the utensil. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, however, even permits a purchaser to put other food content into the utensil without toveling it first.

Question: Do can openers require t’vilah? What about peelers? Toasters?

 Short Answer: Can openers do not require t’vilah, but peelers require t’vilah. If the peeler is primarily used for peeling potatoes, no brachah should be recited on the t’vilah. While Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l held that toasters do not require t’vilah, most other poskim disagree and require t’vilah.

Question: Do aluminum pans and other disposable utensils require t’vilah?

 Short Answer: Contemporary poskim are divided whether disposable utensils made out of metal or glass, such as aluminum pans, require t’vilah. The general custom appears to be that no t’vilah is required, assuming these utensils will only be used one time.