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Mikvah immersion -- whether it's in a mikvah structure or out in a lake -- is like rebirth. It's required for new dishes, newborns, and women after their menstrual separation. Why? It is said that the waters of a mikvah flow directly from the river running out of the Garden of Eden. These waters are able to renew an individual's or an object's inherent purity, and turn a dish from just a vehicle for nutrition into a platter fit to serve a meal at the mikdash me'at (the little sanctuary -- the home table, which is the modern-day substitute for the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, itself).

Is your friend's unease a result of not wanting the dishes to be immersed, or of not wanting to be the one who holds them while they are immersed?

Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is, Jewish tradition does not depend on the opinions of non-Jews. We keep the traditions, the traditions keep us; we don't bother other people about their religions or cults, and they (theoretically) shouldn't bother us. Unless this friend is sharing your apartment, her opinion about your dishes doesn't actually matter. You're free to say, "If you think my dishes are disgusting, I won't try to force you to eat from them."

The bad news is that if she's sincerely grossed out by the very idea of eating off of dishes that have ever been immersed in a mikvah, you may not be able to share a meal with your friend in the future. At least, not once kashrut becomes important enough to you to keep it all the time (even when eating out). You may lose this friend because of her irrational distaste for the very clean practices of your people. That would stink, but it would be better to know it than not know it, so stick to your principles and maintain your integrity -- with compassion for her lack of understanding.

If she's sharing your apartment, you may want to look for a new roommate who can respect your religion, your religious self-expression, and your spiritual needs. However, you may also want to explain that immersion in the mikvah is one step in the kashrut process. Following that immersion, there's also a WASHING, once you get the immersed dishes home from the mikvah. After all, mikvah waters often contain either chlorine or bromine as a chemical purifying agent, and you don't want to eat that stuff.

It's not really disrespect for the religion, as it is,"nasty natural water that other people have been in". I really think it's just a tiny complaint that will eventually be forgotten. After washing and things of that nature, there should be no problem, and if there is, well I guess SOMEONE is buying their own set of plates. xp We do plan on living together, and this friend is a male. (Sorry for not clarifying this. Since he's a boy, I didn't want anyone thinking I'm some sort of harlot for living with him. Not that I think anyone would, but I'm just weird that way.) He's like my brother...Unfortunately a lot of traditions and customs just confuse him, and I think once he understands that it's basically my way or the highway, he'll give in.

Oh he'll be so relieved. You do have a point though, about the saliva...It made me giggle. xp

Silly question; do you have to immerse your dishes before each meal, or only once, or how many times?

Thanks.

That would be why I carry gloves with me wherever I go. Sure, some folk look at me weird, but they can get over it. We're supposed to keep our health, and I do my best to do so.