Making sure utensils can become fully wet

Hi,

We have said that one must immerse utensils fully in the mikvah. This means that one must make sure that every internal and external surface is exposed to water.

One must take extra care with receptacles that have narrow openings, to ensure that they are in a physical position in which water can enter every part, and to allow enough time for the water to do so.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 202:6-8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils with temporary attachments

Hi,

Attachments which one expects to remove from the utensil, such as handles which were installed in a defective way, must be removed before immersion.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 202:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils with stickers on them

Hi,

The surfaces of utensils must be clean when the utensils are immersed in the mikvah. However, foreign materials that are on the surface do not disqualify the immersion, if:

1. People normally do not mind leaving there, and
2. The material does not cover the majority of the surface.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 202:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils on Shabbat and Yom Tov, Part II

Hi,

We have said that there is some debate as to whether one may immerse utensils on Shabbat or Yom Tov.

Our chief concern is the appearance of 'fixing' the utensil, by making it usable for Shabbat / Yom Tov. Therefore, one who needs to immerse a pitcher, cup or similar utensil may dip it in the mikvah to draw water, and thereby fulfill the immersion requirement as well, so long as the mikvah water is potable.

Note that one would not recite a berachah, lest he make the immersion element obvious - which also means that he should not use this method unless absolutely necessary, since this method eliminates the opportunity to recite a berachah for the mitzvah.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 323:7; Mishneh Berurah 323:36; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 323:11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Immersing utensils on Shabbat and Yom Tov, Part I

Hi,

There is some debate as to whether one may immerse utensils on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Therefore, one should give the utensil to someone who is not Jewish, and simply borrow it back; utensils borrowed from people who are not Jewish may be used without immersion.

Ordinarily, one may not give a gift on Shabbat or Yom Tov, but this is permitted because the gift is for the sake of Shabbat/Yom Tov itself.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 323:7, Yoreh Deah 120:16; Mishneh Berurah 323:34)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Intent for immersing utensils

Hi,

Immersion of utensils in a mikvah does not require intent. Therefore, a child's immersion of a utensil is also valid, so long as an adult observes it and sees that it was done properly.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 120:14; Shach Yoreh Deah 120:28; Biur haGRA Yoreh Deah 120: 37)

Good moed,
Mordechai

Immersing the handle of a utensil

Hi,

Even though the law of immersing food-related utensils is tied to their use with food, one must also immerse the handle of the utensil.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 120:12)

Moadim l'simchah,
Mordechai