The question was asked in Halacha, is it permissible to dip new vessels in a Mikveh on Shabbat. Obviously we are talking about where you have an Eruv where it’s permissible to carry it, or you are in the synagogue and the Eruv is in the synagogue and you just want to go downstairs and dip the vessel in the Mikveh and use it on Shabbat.
Actually, the Gemara Betza discusses dipping a vessel on Shabbat that became ritually impure. The Gemara says it’s forbidden. Different reasons are given. One reason that is given is because they are concerned if they let you dip the vessel on Shabbat, you might come to carry it in a place where you are not allowed. And that’s the opinion that the Rosh takes, and therefore the Rosh will hold just like we make a Gezara (ruling) by an impure vessel that you can’t dip since you might come to carry it in the public domain. So a vessel that you want to dip in the Mikveh to eat on it, also will be forbidden for the same reason.
However, the Gemara gives a different reason. The Gemara says that we are concerned if we let you dip vessels in the Mikveh, then you might dips things in the Mikveh and squeeze them out. We see by things that are impure, it’s possible to dip squeezable items, like garments and things like that. So if that is the reason, it would not apply by dipping stuff in the Mikveh because you only dip items that are not garments. And that’s the way the Rif is holding. So we have an argument amongst the Rishonim. What is the reason by the impure vessel, and based on that it’s going to affect the reason of a vessel to dip in the Mikveh to eat. The Halacha according to Maran in 323, he says it’s permissible to dip a new vessel. So he holds like the Rif.
And then he brings down that some like the Rosh want to say that it is forbidden. We have a rule, ‘Sitam Vayesh Halacha Kistam’. So the opinion of Maran is that it is permissible. But then he writes, a G-d fearing person should fulfill all opinions. And then he offers a third option. He says to give the vessel to a non Jew on Shabbat as a gift. Now the vessel belongs to a Non Jew, and then you borrow it from him. Halacha says if you borrow a vessel from a Non Jew, then you do not have to dip it. So that is his 3rd option, and that is his preferred option. So you get around the problem of dipping vessels on Shabbat. Just give it to the non Jew on Shabbat. Even though we have a rule that says, normally you can’t give a gift on Shabbat, but in this case Chachamim were lenient, because you need the vessel, and it is for the purpose of performing a Mitzvah, so therefore it is permissible.
