If a hot pot lid from cooking noodles fell into a treif cold sink does the lid need to be kashered? If so how? And what are the sources for this? thank you
Answer:
If the lid and the sink were dry, there is no need for hag’alah.
However, if the lid or sink were wet, hag’alah is required.
Sources:
See Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 92, where we find the principle of tata’a gavar, meaning that the treif beli’a does not permeate the lid, and only affects a kelipah (the thickness of a thin peel) of the lid.
Yet, hag’alah will still be required, if the sink is treif on a ben-yomo level (the sink came into contact with non-kosher food in the last 24 hrs).
However, this is true onlly where waer connects the lid with the sink; if both are dry, there is no transfer between them, and the lid remains fine.
Please see comments below for more details.
Lkavod Harav: Aren’t there svaras to be lenient in the above question even if the item was hot and wet. Who says the sink had Ben Yomo treif absorbed into the sink walls at all? And even if the sink was used, soap is often used today which could pegem the treif.
The point about the sink being a non-ben-yomo is very true and important. If the sink is not a “ben-yomo,” the lid will not be prohibited, and will not require hag’alah (see Rosh, Pesachim 2:7; see Peri Megadim at beginning of 452).
It is also worth mentioning that there are opinions that require a degree of wetness beyond mere “damp” to transfer taste. See Chavas Daas 92:21, but see Yad Yehudah 92 who is stringent on this point.
The point of detergent is also possible, but soap is often added after contact has already been made.
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