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 acquired from a non-Jew before using them — a pot, a set of cutlery, a glass baking dish brought home from a shop. A dedicated keilim mikvah is smaller than, and separate from, the mikvah used by people.
What needs immersion
In general terms:
- Metal utensils that come into contact with food require immersion, with a blessing.
- Glass utensils require immersion as well; the details and the blessing follow custom.
- Earthenware, wood, plastic and paper generally do not require immersion — though coated, glazed 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.
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 introduction, not a halachic ruling.
Building keilim mikvaos
Mikvah Tahara Association builds keilim mikvaos alongside family mikvaos. If your community needs one, get in touch — you can also see the mikvaos 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?