A keilim mikvah is a small immersion pool used for dishes and kitchenware rather than for people. Many communities maintain one alongside the family mikvah, because a community keeping kosher needs both.
What is tevilas keilim?
Tevilas keilim is the mitzvah of immersing certain food utensils before they are used. A utensil needs immersion unless it has been in Jewish ownership from the start — so a pot, a set of cutlery or a glass baking dish brought home from a shop is the ordinary case. A dedicated keilim mikvah is smaller than, and separate from, the mikvah used by people.
What needs immersion
In general terms, and by way of example rather than as a full list:
- Metal utensils that come into contact with food require immersion.
- Glass utensils require immersion as well.
- Wood, plastic and paper generally do not require immersion — though coated and composite items raise real questions.
Only utensils used with food are involved, and the item is immersed once, fully, in a kosher mikvah — a sink or bathtub will not do. Where a blessing is said it is the same standard blessing, whatever the utensil is made of.
Ask your rav
The categories above are the general picture and the exceptions are numerous — a rav will resolve any particular item in about ten seconds. This page is an explanation, not a halachic guide and not a ruling.
Building keilim mikvahs
Mikvah Tahara Association often builds keilim mikvahs alongside family mikvahs, because a community keeping kosher needs both. If your community needs one, get in touch — you can also see the mikvahs currently being built around the world.
Read more
For the fuller picture — what a mikvah is, who uses one, what makes a mikvah kosher, and why a community needs one — see What Is a Mikvah?