Q) Is it permissible to send a young child to perform tevilas keilim? Or does the child have to be over the age of bar/bas mitzvah?
A)The Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:14) writes that a minor has no credibility regarding tevilas keilim. The Remo (ibid) adds that if a minor was tovel the keilim under the supervision of an adult – the tevila is valid.
[This means that there is no restriction per se with a minor performing tevilas keilim; the only issue is that we are not able to rely on the word of the minor who tells us that tevilas keilim was performed – similar to any other situation of issur (min hatorah[1]) where we need the credibility of someone who has halachic validity in order to permit the item.]
The Taz (s.k. 16) explains that the reason a minor has no halachic credibility for tevilas keilim is because the obligation of tevilas keilim is min hatorah[2].
The Pischei Teshuva (based on the Pri Megadim) discusses the credibility of a minor for tevilas keilim of glass utensils [of which the requirement of tevilas keilim is mid’rabonon].
He also discusses the credibility of a child who is already bar/bas mitzvah where it has not been determined if the child has halachic symptoms of adulthood (shtei sa’aros).
The conclusion of the Pischei Teshuva is that:
- One can rely on the word of a child who is bar/bas mitzvah even without ascertaining that the child has halachic symptoms of adulthood – for tevilas keilim of glass utensils specifically (which are only obligated in tevilas keilim mid’rabonon).
- One may not rely on a minor (under bar/bas mitzvah) even regarding tevilas keilim of glass utensils.
- Regarding metal utensils one may only rely on a child who is bar/bas mitzvah only if it has been ascertained that the child has halachic symptoms of adulthood (shtei sa’aros).
Rav Moshe Mordche Karp (Mishmeres Habayis Chapter 8, Item 10) rules that regarding tevilas keilim one may rely on a child who is over bar/bas mitzvah without having to establish that the child has halachic symptoms of adulthood – even pertaining to metal utensils (see also footnote 11 where he explains at length the reason for his leniency).
In conclusion: Although a minor has the ability to perform tevilas keilim; a minor has no halachic credibility that tevilas keilim was correctly performed. If a minor is supervised by a halachic adult – he may perform tevilas keilim.
[1] כתבנו איסור תורה בגלל שבאיסור דרבנן מצאנו ש”הימנוהו רבנן בדרבנן” (פסחים ד:, מובא לדינא בשו”ע תל”ז ד’ שבית שהוחזק שלא בדוק לחמץ, נאמן קטן לומר שנבדק)
[2] ודווקא בדרבנן הימנוהו, וכמו שכתבנו למעלה