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Where does the Mitzvah of toiveling utensils originate from?

by Rabbi Nachum katz

www.OUKosher.org

  

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The Mitzvah of tevilat keilim is alluded to in Deuteronomy1 where Elazar HaKohen instructs the army returning from war with Midyan regarding the booty they have captured “Kol davar asher yavoh ba’aish ta’averu ba’aish v’taher”—All utensils that have been used to cook forbidden foods must be purged of the flavor they have absorbed in the manner that they were used. V’taher—they are then made pure through an added step of purification.

It is forbidden to use the utensil before it has been toveiled, even in a temporary way
According to the Gemara,2   this added step of purification is accomplished through immersion in a Mikvah. According to some authorities3 this is merely an asmachtah—the mitzvah of tevilat keilim is of rabbinic origin. The Shulchan Aruch4 follows the opinion of the majority of Poskim who hold tevilat keilim to be a d’oraitah.

This mitzvah is not to be taken lightly. It is forbidden to use the utensil before it has been toveiled, even in a temporary way.5 If it is unclear if a particular utensil has been toveiled it requires tevillah m’safek. The utensil may not be used in the interim. This stringency applies equally to glass utensils6 although the requirement to toveil glass is surely rabbinic.7

Republished with permission from www.oukosher.org

Footnotes

  • 1. 31:23.
  • 2. Avodah Zara 75b.
  • 3. Rambam, Hil. Ma’achalot Asurot 17:5 as explained by the Acharonim—see Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 120:3 & 48.
  • 4. Shulchan Aruch 120:14.
  • 5. Rema 120:8. Nonetheless, the food cooked in such a utensil remains permitted (Rema 120:16 based on the Yerushalmi cited in Tur and other Poskim). However, see Iggerot Moshe Y.D. III:22 (end) who rules that even b’shat hadchak one may not eat soup or other liquids from a utensil which was not toveiled.
  • 6. Pri Megadim (M.Z.) O.C. 451:31 (end of kli cheress section).
  • 7. Gemara Avodah Zara 75b.

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Mitzvah
(pl. Mitzvot). A commandment from G-d. Mitzvah also means a connection, for a Jew connects with G–d through fulfilling His commandments.
Mikvah
A ritual bath where one immerses to become spiritually pure. After her menstrual cycle, a woman must immerse in the Mikvah before resuming marital relations.
Deuteronomy
The fifth of the Five Books of Moses. This book is a record of the monologue which Moses spoke to the Israelites in the five weeks prior to his passing.
asmachtah
[Lit. - a leaning] a biblical text supporting a rabbinic injunction.
tevilat keilim
The immersion of food utensils in a Mikvah [ritual bath].
Poskim
Authorities in Jewish law.