Q. On question 2179 regarding if a metal ice-cube tray maker (the tray filled with water you place in the freezer, for making ice cubes) require tevilah? And does the glass ice-cubes container and tongs you place on the table require tevilah? Does an ice pick require tevilah? If any one of them do, is it with a brocho?

You answered: “Tevilas Kelim (11: 8, 132) deals with the tevila of Frigidaire trays, and writes that the common minhag is not to immerse even those made of metal. He quotes Horav S.Z. Auerbach zt’l, that although food is placed on directly on those trays, since they are part of an appliance that is normally made to remain stationary, it is similar to items attached to the ground, that do not require tevila. The trays however, are also not normally taken out of the Frigidaire.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the ice-cube tray maker, that usually remains inside the freezer in principle needs no tevila, but if possible one should do so without a brocho. The glass ice-cubes container and tongs you place on the table should preferably be immersed also without a brocho.

Some Poskim rule that a Metal Ice Cream Scooper requires tevila with a brocho because it comes it contact with edible food. (Kof-K and OU.com).
The Rov maintains that an ice pick should be immersed, since it could often be used for handling and seizing food, such as meat to be roasted on a fire. If in doubt, it should be done without a brocho”.

Q. Hi. See questions and answers above. Can the Rav explain the reasoning why R’ Shlomo shlita felt that the ice cube tray may not require tevilla? Is it because it typically is not brought to the table? Then why would the tongs and container not require one with a brocha as it does indeed come to the table? Is ice not considered a food item? Or is
turning water into ice not considered adequate food preparation? What are the sevaros ?

A. Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a explained that when the utensil in question, even when placed on the table, if it is not used to eat directly from it, one should indeed do Tevila but without a brocho.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a