1)As Pesach preparations get into full gear, it is the time of year when it is very common for new dishes, silverware, pots and pans to purchased.
Whenever purchasing new dishes, glasses, silverware pots or any other utensils that will come in contact with food, it must be determined if the manufacturer and/or the seller of these utensils are non-Jews, as if the utensils were manufactured or owned by a non-Jew they require Tevilah (immersion in a Kosher Mikvah) before being fit for use in a Kosher kitchen. (A Rav should be consulted regarding which utensils require a Bracha)
It is best to Tovel these utensils as soon as possible after purchasing them, as putting it off until a later date when they are ready to be used can often lead to mistakes and the use of these utensils without Tevilah. (Such as a sudden need for the extra dishes, or when needed on Shabbos or Yom Tov when Tevilah isn't possible)
2) If the items acquired were previously used (e.g. by relatives, friends or purchased at a garage sale, estate sale or on eBay or similar), it must be determined who used them and in which manner, as besides for Tevilah they may also require Koshering, a process necessary for utensils used for non-Kosher, Chometz and/or Basar B'Chalav uses.
One who purchases or otherwise comes into possession of utensils that previously belonged to a non-Jew, even if they were only used for cold uses, should kosher them in boiling water, even if they will only continue to be used for cold uses
These utensils should be koshered immediately and not even be used temporarily until they are Koshered [and Toveled]. (See Shulchan Aruch and Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 121:5 and Siman 122:10)
This Koshering should be done before they are Toveled in a Mikvah.
If they were mistakenly Toveled first before koshering them, they should be re-Toveled without a Bracha after they are Koshered. (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 121:2 and Shach S"K 5. For more on this see Aruch HaShulchan 121:9 and Pischei Teshuva 121:3)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
You mentioned that the glass plate in a microwave is not necessarily able to be kashered. But, isn't glass by it's nature always kasherable? Can't it even be used for milchig (dairy) and fleishig (meat)?
Answer:
The Bais Yosef (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 451:26) rules that glass is non absorbent and can be used for both milchig and Fleishig, as long as they are rinsed in between uses. Sephardim follow this ruling.
The Rama argues and rules that they must be kept separate and not used interchangaebaly. Ashekenazim rule as such and the custom is to keep separate glasses for milchig and fleishig.
If they were used for both, they can be Kashered according to many opinions, but a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh as sometimes the type of glass and the coating on it may pose some problems with kashering.
CHIZUK CORNER
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