dipping dishes
Question
I am going to be moving soon, and a friend suggested that this would be a good time and opportunity to dip my dishes. I do not currently feel the need to do this, but who knows what the future will bring, so I am considering it. Please tell me what exactly has to be dipped (please be specific). Also, I was told that the reason for dipping is because a non-Jew may have touched the dish, but if this is the reason then how can a housekeeper touch the dish after the fact.
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiAll food dishes and cups and utensils that were purchased from a non-Jew must be dipped in a lake, ocean, or a Mikveh (Ritual Bath). This includes glass, metals (other than aluminum). This does not include china or earthenware. It mostly affects your glasses, silverware, and pots. It just gets dipped once in the water when it's thoroughly clean, and you're done. Touching it will not change it's status. The reasons of our commandments are not the issue, and many of them we don't know the reason. It has nothing to do with the touch of a non-Jew. If it did, your logic would be accurate, making the whole concept seem silly. When you dip, you make a blessing that ends with "Al Tevilat Keilim." AA