עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is It Permissible to Use a Vessel Once Without Immersion?
Question
Hello, esteemed Rabbi,
I would like to ask if when using a glass or metal vessel, does it need immersion during its first use in the home?
Or is it permissible to use it as is?
Thank you in advance
Answer
Greetings,
A vessel that requires immersion should not be used even once without immersion.
Sources: See the Rema, Yoreh De'ah (Siman 140, Sif 8) that one is not permitted to use a vessel that requires immersion even in a temporary manner. Based on this, Rabbi Avraham David Horowitz, zt"l, wrote in his responsa, Kinyan Torah, Halacha Part 1 (end of page 126) that the leniency often mentioned by the masses—that it is permitted to use a vessel without immersion once—is unfounded, and he cited the aforementioned words of the Rema. See there. Similarly, in the book Le'Binyamin said (page 94), Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, shlit"a, was asked if there is a source for the claim that it is permissible to use a vessel requiring immersion once without immersion, and he replied: that is not correct. Rabbi Yochanan Levy Wosner, shlit"a, also wrote in his responsa, Chayei Levi, Part 4 (Siman 57, Ois 9) that the common belief that it is allowed to eat without immersing the vessel for the first time is clearly a mistake, and one must certainly immerse the vessel before using it even once. It is possible that this mistake arose from disposable vessels or from those meant only for holding food. See there.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
