Kelim Bill of Sale administered by the Beth Din of America

March 25, 2020

Special thanks to Rav Willig, Segan Av Bet Din, and Rav Shlomo Weissmann, Menahel

Under Jewish law, metal and glass utensils (kelim) previously owned by non-Jews must undergo immersion in a mikvah. This form was created by the Beth Din of America to allow individuals who do not feel comfortable utilizing a kelim mikvah during the COVID-19 pandemic to sell kelim to a non-Jew and borrow them back to use for themselves. Since kelim owned by a non-Jew do not require immersion in a mikvah, this process allows for the use of the kelim without immersing them.

This form is primarily for kelim intended to be used prior to the onset of Pesach. For kelim that will not be used until yom tov begins, it is preferable to include them in the sale of chometz to a non-Jew that is more commonly performed.

The form below is legally binding as a situmta (halachically valid instrument due to its secular law validity) and supplemented by a cash downpayment (kinyan kesef) of at least a perutah (two cents) per person that will take place periodically during the period leading up to Pesach on Thursday, 3/26 at 8:00 pm (for all forms submitted by 6:00 pm on 3/26), Sunday, 3/29 at 8:00 pm (for forms submitted between 3/26 at 6:00 pm and prior to 6:00 pm on 3/29), and Wednesday, 4/1 at 3:00 pm (for forms submitted between 3/29 at 6:00 pm and prior to 4/1 at 2:00 pm). The proceeds of the sale will be held in trust for you by Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann (menahel of the Beth Din of America). Once you have signed the form below, you should not use the kelim until after the occurrence of the next kinyan kesef.

The kelim will be purchased back from the non-Jew at a later date. Since this sale mechanism is only to be used bisha’as hadechak (in an extraordinary circumstance) such as the present situation, you should immerse your kelim in a mikvah once it is safe to do so. When the date for the repurchase is established you will be notified by email so that you can properly immerse your kelim in a mikvah at that time.

Click here to access the form.