The immersion of utensils. Based on Bamidbar/Numbers 31:21-23.

The Jewish table is likened to an altar, its holiness compared to that of the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple). Before dishes and utensils can be used in the kosher kitchen, they must acquire an additional measure of holiness which is conferred through the ritual immersion in a pool of naturally gathered water, or mikvah. A mikvah is a specially constructed ritual pool connected to a source of pure rainwater. Vessels may also be immersed in certain natural bodies of water such as the ocean. The procedure is known as toveling (derived from the Hebrew tovel, to immerse). This practice was birthed by the passage in Bamidbar/Numbers 31:21-23 from Matot, this week’s Torah portion.

Numbers 31:21 Eleazar the kohen said to the soldiers returning from battle, "This is the statute that the Lord commanded Moses.

22 Only the gold, the silver, the copper, the iron, the tin, and the lead

23 whatever is used in fire you shall pass through fire and then it will be clean; it must, however, [also] be cleansed with water of impurity (niddah), and whatever is not used in fire you shall pass through water.

This is yet another object lesson from the Torah that elevates the mundane things in life - in this case, simple vessels for food - to a holy level. It reminds me that everything in our lives should be “kashered or tested by the “fire” of the Torah, and then, if it passes, it should be toveled, as a symbol of dedication, to Hashem.

Immersion in a mikvah is required only for utensils that were manufactured or ever owned by a non-Jew. Even those that were previously used without having been immersed still require immersion, after thorough cleaning, and kashering if necessary (if the dishes are used). This principle is based on the fact that the Israelites were instructed to purify the items they plundered from their foes, the Midianites. The Jewish legal tradition understands the fire-cleansing as a way of removing the traces of non-kosher food, but views the subsequent immersion as a form of ritual purification. This second stage is not a matter of kashrut. In fact, food is still considered kosher if it has been prepared in kosher utensils that require immersion but have not undergone the procedure.

In general, Orthodox Jews continue to immerse metal and glass pots and dishes and recite a blessing upon the act, “Blessed are you, O LORD our God, who has sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us concerning the immersion of utensils.”

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NOI ELO-HAI-NU
ME-LECH HA'O-LAM A-SHER
KID-SHA-NU B'-MITZ-VO-TAV V'TZI-VA-NU
AL TE-VI-LAT KE-LI (KAI-LIM).

Preparation for immersion consists of the removal of any substance that would intervene between the water of the mikvah and the surface of the utensil, such as dirt, rust, stickers, glue from labels, and price markings. Steel wool and/or acetone (nail polish remover) are sometimes needed to remove all traces of surface markings.

Types of Vessels Requiring Immersion: A vessel made of metal or glass with which one eats, drinks, cooks, roasts, fries, or heats up water for drinking requires immersion with a blessing. Examples of vessels requiring immersion with a blessing include: Correlle dishes, silverware, pots and pans, glazed china, kettle, and those parts of a mixer or blender which come into direct contact with food.

Plastic items technically do not require immersion. Nevertheless, there are some who have the custom to immerse plastic utensils without a blessing. Utensils that do not require immersion are: (1) those made of wood, paper, bone, or unglazed earthenware; or (2) disposable utensils such as plastic cups or plates which are not fit for long-term use and which one normally discards after using.