The verses about the Midianite utensils teach kashering, immersion of metal utensils, and ritual impurity of metal utensils. Since only metals are listed, how did the sages derive that kashering applies to other materials as well?
Shalom and blessings,
You are correct that Numbers chapter 31 teaches three laws concerning the Midianite utensils: kashering, immersion, and ritual impurity.
Although the verses list various metals, the Torah adds, “Every leather article, everything made of goats, and every wooden article shall be purified.” From this the sages derive laws for additional utensils made of wood, stone, horn, and hoof.
Regarding plastic, the authorities disagree. Some maintain that kashering is ineffective because plastic is not mentioned by the Torah. Others hold that kashering works for all utensils, since only earthenware was specifically excluded. Sephardic practice follows the latter opinion.
With blessings,
Rabbi David Ohayon
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
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