359. Toveling Electric Appliances
Electric keilim (utensils) are becoming increasingly prevalent, and the consensus among poskim is that even they need to be toiveled (immersed in a mikvah). While many of these keilim come with a warning that immersion in water will ruin them, nonetheless the mitzvah of tevilas keilim applies. Generally, if after tevilah the keili is dried very well and left to air dry for a couple of days before being used, it will function normally. However, there will probably be a problem with digital keilim, such as some premium coffee machines which will be ruined if they are immersed in water. In addition, very often the water cannot reach all the parts of this type of appliance, which in itself poses a problem for tevilah. There are those who wish to suggest that since it is a mitzvah to toivel keilim, in a case where it is not possible, we are exempt from the mitzvah. However, that opinion is rejected by the majority of poskim, and thus it should not be followed. Others suggest gifting the keili to a non-Jew, and then borrowing it from him. Since it will be considered that we’re using a Non-Jew’s keili—and as a Non-Jew’s keli is exempt from tevilah—we may use it without tevilah. However, this is only a short-term solution, since an object that remains in a Jew’s possession long term requires tevilah. The only solution that exists for the dilemma of toiveling the kind of electric appliance that would be ruined if it were immersed in water is to take it to a Yid (Jew) who is an uman (professional) and knows how to take apart and reassemble the appliance in question. After the uman takes the keili apart and puts it back together, it is considered a utensil made by a Jew, and consequently does not need to be toiveled. #359