Torah

Question: Must a person tovel electric kitchen appliances?

 Short Answer: While some poskim apply certain leniencies to electric kitchen appliances, many poskim and kashrus organizations, including Rav Yisroel Belsky zt”l (from the OU) and the Star-K require t’vilah, as it often can be performed safely and without ruining the utensil.

Question: Must caterers, kosher hotels, and restaurants tovel their utensils?

 Short Answer: Many poskim require caterers, kosher hotels, and restaurants to tovel their utensils. If the utensils are not toveled, the majority of poskim do not allow a patron to eat there. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, though, allows a patron to eat certain foods there, as detailed herein.

Question: What should a person do if he toveled a utensil but forgot to make the brachah?

 Short Answer: The person should do nothing, as the utensil is still toveled, but no brachah may be recited at this point. However, some poskim allow the person to make the brachah if he remembers immediately (“toch k’dei dibur”) after the immersion.

Question: Do can openers require t’vilah? What about peelers? Toasters?

 Short Answer: Can openers do not require t’vilah, but peelers require t’vilah. If the peeler is primarily used for peeling potatoes, no brachah should be recited on the t’vilah. While Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l held that toasters do not require t’vilah, most other poskim disagree and require t’vilah.

Question: Must you completely let go of the utensil when you immerse it in the mikvah?

 Short Answer: Ideally, you should completely let go of the utensil during the immersion, and if you do not, a second immersion should be performed, but without a brachah. However, if your hands were previously wet from the waters of the mikvah, a second immersion is not necessary.

Question: Must a new couple tovel a utensil immediately upon receiving it as a wedding gift? 

Short Answer: Many poskim do not require immediate t’vilah. However, because some poskim do require immediate t’vilah, it is certainly preferable to tovel the utensil as soon as possible.