From the Rav’s Desk: Toiveling plastic cups and bottles

  1. Question: [Tuesday, 19th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

If I plan on using plastic disposable cups on a permanent basis until they break must I immerse them in the mikvah prior to using them?

 

Answer:

In my opinion, there is no need to tovel disposable plastic cups even if one plans to reuse them. The entire idea of immersing plastic is a Chumra, under debate. So by disposable, which as well contains many opinions which state that even metal does not require immersion even if one plans to keep it, then certainly there is no need to be stringent by plastic which one decides to keep.

 

Sources: See Igros Moshe 2:40 regarding that there is no need to immerse disposable vessels and the following opinions regarding that there is no need to immerse plastic Melamed Lehoil 2/49; Chelkas Yaakov 2/163; Chayeh Halevi 4/56-3; Tzitz Eliezer 7/37; Beir Moshe 2/53 that one should not be stringent to immerse it; Vayeishev Moshe 2/86-6; Mishneh Halachos 7/110; Divrei Chachamim p. 189 in name of Rav Elyashiv; Yabia Omer 4/8; Yechaveh Daas 3/60; Ohel Yaakov ibid in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Henkin. Now while there are opposing views on both of the subjects, practically in this case one may be lenient.

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