Must one immerse plastic vessels in a Mikveh?

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Do plastic vessels require Tevila?[1]
Some Poskim[2] rule plastic vessels require immersion without a blessing.[3] Other Poskim[4] however rule that it does not require immersion.[5] Practically, many are accustomed to not immerse plastic vessels.[6] Others however are accustomed to immerse them without a blessing.[7]

 

[1] See Hakashrus 4/25; Ohel Yaakov p. 259; Vedarashta Vechakarta 1/12
[2] Minchas Yitzchak 3/76-77; Kinyan Torah 2/84 that so is custom; Sheraim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 37/4 says to immerse with a blessing
[3] The reason: As perhaps any material that can be melted in fire has the same status as glass which requires Rabbinical immersion. [See Darkei Teshuvah 120/14] Nevertheless, a blessing is not to be recited as possibly only those materials explicitly decreed upon by the Sages require immersion. [Minchas Yitzchak ibid, based on Melameid Lehoil 2/49] Furthermore, since there exist forms of plastic that cannot be melted down and reformed, therefore every plastic vessel is a doubt. [See Minchas Yitzchak ibid in asker]
[4] 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
[5] The reason: As we cannot make new decrees, and since this material was not around in the times of Chazal, therefore, it is not included in the original decree against plastic. [ibid]
[6] Koveitz Beis Levi Nissan 5756 and Hakashrus 4/25 that so is custom and so was custom of Chazon Ish; However see Ohel Yaakov ibid that Rav Wozer said that initially it should be immersed if possible.
[7] Yechaveh Daas 3/60 “One who does so is blessed”; Chelkas Yaakov ibid that one who does so is blessed; Kinyan Torah ibid that so is custom; Rav Eli Landa in a written correspondence, that so was the ruling of his father Rav Yaakov Landa and that so is the custom

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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