Implements Used For Preparing Food

This shiur follows on from last week's shiur -- shiur 3. It may be necessary for the reader to familiarize himself with the last section of shiur 3 entitled, "The Knife for Shechitah."

In last week's shiur, we noted a contradiction in the words of the Rema. The Rema -- unlike the Shulchan Aruch -- appears to rule that a shechitah knife does require tevillah (albeit without a brachah) as it is used at a stage where the food is not fit for consumption. However, the Rema states that the implement used to make holes in matzah and the cover that is placed over baking bread do not require tevillah.

We cited the differing approaches of the both Shach and Taz in resolving this apparent contradiction. The Vilna Gaon offers a third approach:

The Vilna Gaon cites a Gemara in Maseches Chullin (8b), which states that a shechitah knife is subject to the laws of muktzah. Apparently a shechitah knife is considered to have no use, aside from its use as a shechitah knife and is therefore considered to be muktzah. It is clear, explains the Vilna Gaon, that if the criterion for tevillas keilim is that the implement must be suitable for use with foods fit for consumption, a shechitah knife will not require tevillah. Thus, explains the Vilna Gaon, the Rema's reason for ruling that a shechitah knife requires tevillah cannot be due to the fact that it has other uses.

Rather the Rema is of the opinion that in order to use an implement even in the early stages of food preparation, one must first immerse it in a mikvah. However, explains the Vilna Gaon, the implement used for making holes in matzah still does not require tevillah. The difference between the two implements is that the shechitah knife takes primary importance in the preparation of food, whereas the implement for making holes in matzah has only a secondary importance.

According to the Vilna Gaon's understanding of the Rema, then, an implement that is used for food preparation before that food is ready to eat, and which is not essential for the preparation of the food does not require tevillah.

1. Sefardim, who follow the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch, may rely on the opinion that a shechitah knife does not require tevillah, and therefore any implement or vessel, which is used only in the early stages of food preparation, will also not require tevillah.

   Examples: Potato peeler, Metal Mixer bowl, the Blades of a blender, etc.

2. Askenazim, however will have to immerse a shechitah knife, and implements such as the aforementioned examples, without a brachah.

3. Whether mixer blades that are used only for a mixture that is not yet fit for consumption, require tevillah will depend on the differing opinions discussed above. According to both the Shach and the Vilna Gaon, they are comparable to the implement used to make holes in matzah and so the blades would not require tevillah. According to the Taz, however, even the implement used to make holes in matzah requires tevillah (without a brachah) according to the Rema, and therefore mixer blades will similarly require tevillah.

4. A peeler or similar implement, which is also used for prepared food, such as a vegetable peeler for cucumbers, does require tevillah with a brachah.

5. The lid of a pot requires tevillah with a brachah because it assists with the actual cooking.

The articles on this website are not not intended as halachic rulings.
Where necessary, one should consult a competent halachic authority.