DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 434 KB)
Do Plastic or Teflon Utensils Require Immersion in a Mikveh?

The Torah obligation of Tebilat Kelim – immersing new utensils – applies only to metal utensils, and the Sages extended this obligation to glass utensils. Utensils made from other materials, such as plastic, nylon, rubber and enamel, do not require immersion at all. This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in Halichot Olam (vol. 7).

The Halachic authorities debate the status of a Teflon pot with respect to Tebilat Kelim. On the one hand, since the pot is made primarily of metal, and the Teflon is just a thin layer of nylon covering the pot, it seemingly should require immersion like other metal utensils. On the other hand, people who acquire Teflon pots are specifically interested in the Teflon, which prevents the food from sticking to the surface of the utensil, and thus perhaps the Teflon should be regarded as the primary material, such that the pot should not require Tebila. As mentioned, the Aharonim (later authorities) debate this question. In light of the difference of opinion in this regard, Teflon utensils should be immersed in a Mikveh, but without a Beracha.

Summary: Utensils made from materials other than metal and glass do not require Tebila. Metal utensils lined with Teflon should be immersed, but without a Beracha.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Is it Permissible to Erase a Recording of a Torah Class?
The Ancient Syrian Jewish Customs For Mosa’eh Shabbat Shira and Tu B’Shbat
Should the Tefillin be Worn During Minha When Asara Be'Tebet Falls on Ereb Shabbat
Mr. Edmond J Safra A”H – Supporter of the Three Pillars - Yahrtzeit Today
Shinui Makom – If a Person Leaves His Home During a Meal Momentarily
The Obligation to Visit One’s Parents
Is It Permissible For A Kohen To Travel Over A Cemetery In A Plane
Having Intention for the Misva Before Reciting Shema
The Custom to Perform Hatarat Nedarim Before the Month of Elul
Halachot Pertaining to the Restroom
The Five Groups of "Minim" Who Have No Share in the World to Come
The Significance of Visiting Graves of Sadikim
Visiting the Graves of Sadikim and Family Members
May One Use a Pot Cover for Netilat Yadayim?
The Symbolism of the Five Knots of the Sisit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found