T'vilas Keilim - Immersion of Vessels vol.2 no.9
As it is common to purchase new utensils for the Pesach holiday, we will discuss this week some of the basic rules of t'vilas keilim - ritual immersion of vessels.
In Bamidbar 31:21-24, the Torah commands us to immerse metal utensils which were produced or previously owned by gentiles prior to their usage. There is also a Rabbinic commandment to do the same with glass, which closely parallels the properties of metal. This immersion must be done in either spring water - a river, stream, or the sea - or in a kosher mikva. It is strongly advisable to opt, where possible, for the mikva, since use of running waters requires other halachic determinations beyond the scope of our discussion.
Although the t'vila - immersion - must preceed any use of the utensil, the obligation remains as pertanent and as critical even if the utensil has already been used. In such cases, care should be taken to see that the vessel is totally clean prior to immersion. Similarly, it is important to remove all labels and stickers prior to immersing new utensils.
The brocha to be recited prior to fulfilling this mitzva is "...asher kideshanu b'mitzvosav v'tzivanu al t'vilas keili (for one utensil) / keilim (for several utensils)". Several distinctions exist, based on the function or nature of the utensil, which determine whether the utensil is in fact a candidate for this brocha: If the utensil is used for actual eating, the brocha should be said. If the utensil is only used for food storage, no brocha should be said. If the utensil is used for food preperation, several further distintions exist and one is encouraged to consult with a Rabbi or with the guidelines posted at a local mikva regarding such utensils.
When appropriate, one brocha can be recited prior to the immersion of many vessels. In fact, it is optimal to immerse those utensils which require no brocha immediately following immersion of a utensil for which a brocha was said, thereby granting them an association with a brocha.
Proper t'vila procedure is as follows : The utensil should be held with a loose grip, preferably by a hand that is already wet. If appropriate, the brocha should now be said. The utensil should be submerged - entirely - in the mikva. If possible, the grip should be released for a fraction of a second. A basket or net may be used, even for several utensils simultaneouly, provided that the water will reach all parts of all utensils being immersed.
A child should not perform the immersion unless actually observed by an adult who can testify to the fulfillment of this procedure.
NOTE : Regarding the status of diposable pans, it is the view of many authorities that there is no obligation of t'vilas keilim provided that the intention is to actually dispose of the pan after one use.
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