“Question: If I use utility scissors for food preparation as a one-off, do the scissors require tevilas keilim?
Discussion: First of all, the requirement of tevilas keilim pertains specifically to utensils intended to be used with food. Utensils that are intended for other purposes other than food are exempt from tevilas keilim (Tur and Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah Siman 120 se’if 1).
The Issur v’Heter (Sha’ar 58 se’if 83) quoted by the Shach (Yoreh De’ah Siman 120 s.k. 17) writes that if one purchases a kitchen utensil intending to use it for purposes other than food, there is no requirement of tevilas keilim. And even if one purchased the utensil intending to use it as a kitchen utensil, and subsequently (after the purchase) changed his mind and decided to use it for other purposes, there is also no requirement of tevilas keilim.
The Remo (Yoreh De’ah Siman 120 se’if 8) tells us that this exemption is only applicable while the utensil is not actually used in conjunction with food. However, if a person decides to use the utensil even as a one-off for food preparation, it now requires tevila. As both the Shach and Taz do not comment on this ruling, it appears that they too agree to the ruling of the Remo.
However, not all Poskim agree to this ruling:
• The Pri Chodosh (Siman 120 s.k. 19 & 23) argues on the ruling of the Remo, and maintains that the majority usage of the utensil determines whether or not it is obligated in tevilas keilim. Therefore, as long as the utensil is mainly used for other, non-food related uses it is exempt from tevilas keilim, despite an occasional food use.
• The Pri To’ar (Siman 120 s.k. 11) partially agrees to the Remo and partially agrees with the Pri Chodosh. Regarding a utensil that is intrinsically a food utensil he agrees to the Remo that an occasional food use will obligate the utensil in tevila. However, if the utensil in question is intrinsically not a food utensil, and one uses it occasionally for food, the Pri To’ar agrees to the Pri Chodosh that this occasional use does not obligate the utensil in tevilas keilim.
• In a similar vein, the Minchas Yitzchok (volume 9 siman 84) posits that this ruling of the Remo only pertains to a utensil that is manufactured and intended for general usage, including food. With such a utensil, it is only exempt from tevilas keilim as long as it is not actually being used for food. When one uses it for food, even as a one off, it requires tevila. However, an implement that is manufactured for uses other than with food (e.g. DIY or gardening tools) and one decided to use it as a one off for food preparation; such an implement remains exempt from tevila because the temporary usage cannot change the status of the utensil. The Minchas Yitzchok claims that even the Remo agrees to this distinction.
Because of the differing opinions regarding this scenario, the Zivchei Tzedek (Siman 120 se’if 52) rules that in this situation one should ideally tovel the utensil without a brocho, or ideally tovel it at the same time as other utensils that are definitely obligated in tevilas keilim, and therefore one will be able to recite a brocho according to all opinions.
Conclusion: One who uses a utensil that is not designated as a food utensil for a one off food usage, according to the Remo it is obligated in tevila. However, since we find differing opinions about this in the Poskim, the most ideal solution would be to tovel the utensil together with other utensils that are definitely obligated in tevilas keilim.
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