dishwasher
Question
I have written to you before. I am a person who was raised in a non religious jewish home so I am grateful for you to answer so many questions. I am on the road to a completely observant life. Question....Everything in my kitchen has been kashered except for my dishwasher. I have been washing everything by hand not knowing for sure whether it can be kashered or not. The inside is plastic not stainless. I have been told by many that it needs to be replaced and I am willing to do so if need be but I wanted to ask you first. I notice how many people on this forum are observant. You are a help to them but ESPECIALLY helpful to me who is on the road to getting there. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiThe dishwasher does not need to be Kashered. You can use it for dairy runs and for meat runs, without Kashering it in between, also. If it's clean, you can use it now. If not, then run it once with soap, and you can now use it. In your road to "observant" Judaism, which is the only Judaism, you must be very careful not to be disheartened when seeing so-called ultra-Orthodox people doing things or saying things that you can't believe. Don't start thinking that "if this is what the religion is...." But rather realize that all people were given Bechira, the choice between right and wrong. Just because one was born religious does not mean that they must chose right over wrong. Often people see certain things and want to run away. That is because their commitment was not strong enough, or they were climbing too fast. It's a long and hard journey and the Yetzer Harah (the will to chose bad) is fighting like hell. Don't ever think that it will let up. If you win a battle, it'll be back tomorrow strong and refreshed for a new one. Move along step-by-step, and don't give up. Also you must be very careful from the Yetzer Harah's "plan B." That is that if he can't get you to sin, he'll get you to become "super religious." As the expression goes, "more religious than the pope." Then of course, it will backfire and you'll drop the whole thing and he wins. The Mitzvot (commandments) were given to follow exactly; not to add and not to subtract. If you ever need help in anything, in dealing with stuff, in motivation, in understanding things, just give a holler. Either as a post, or email me [email hidden] Best of luck! AA