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...
Must One Wear A Head Covering Even While Stationary
Does A Synagogue Lose Its Sanctity If A Serious Transgression Took Place There
Purchasing or Selling Toy Dolls
Is It Permissible To Follow A Rabbi's Direction After The Rabbi Strayed From The Right Path ?
Halachot that Reflect the Required Balance Between Joy and Fear
Must The Synagogue Chose Someone Who Is Married To Be Chazan
Moving Ovens or Stoves, Sealing Windows or Doors, and Blowing out Candles
Is It Required To Situate The Bimah In The Center of The Synagogue
May The Congregation Return An UnKosher Torah To The Hechal
May One Take a Pebble from the Western Wall as a Souvenir?
Some Laws Regarding A Tzedaka Box In One's House
Is It Permissible To Hang a Bag of Bread on a Hook
Calling a Child to Check a Sefer Torah with a Questionable Letter
Magic and Hypnotism in Halacha
Accepting A Job Even If It Is Beneath One's Dignity
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found